White Castle

Many people believe White Castle to be the first authentic fast food restaurant in the world because A&W began as a root beer stand. Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson established White Castle in Wichita, Kansas, in 1921. White Castle is unquestionably the first fast food burger chain in the world because it has always sold hamburgers.

Although Anderson had prior experience running burger stands, when he and Ingram decided to launch White Castle, Americans were not as obsessed with hamburgers as they are today. In fact, many people regarded burgers as dangerous and unappealing. Anderson and Ingram ensured that their first White Castle restaurant was clean and spotless to help change public perception. They also ensured that their employees were well-dressed.

Anderson and Ingram also added the novel touch of grinding the beef right in front of the customers. Within a few years, White Castle started to grow in the region thanks to all of their successful ideas.

Due to the fact that White Castle has never been franchised and all of its locations are still company-owned, the chain is still relatively small in comparison to some of the other chains on this list.

Year Founded: September 13, 1921
Founder(s): Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson
Year Franchising Started: N/A – all locations are company-owned
Current No. of Locations: about 420
Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio, USA
Website: www.whitecastle.com