Well, majority of us had already been to a fast food chain, isn’t it? Truth be told, fast food chains can be quite a life-saver as they specialize in providing quick and convenient food to customers. They typically offer a limited menu of popular items that are prepared quickly and served in a standardized way.
The food is usually designed to be eaten on the go, so it is often packaged in disposable containers. Fast food chains are known for their efficiency and affordability, and they are a popular choice for people who are looking for a quick meal or snack.
Fast food chains often have a consistent branding and marketing strategy across all their locations. They may use similar logos, slogans, and advertising campaigns to build brand recognition and loyalty.
Some of the most famous fast food chains in the world include McDonald’s, KFC, and Jollibee but there are many other fast food chains that operate in different regions and countries.
The term “fast food” was first used in the 1950s to describe food that was prepared quickly and served in a standardized way. In case you are curious, we have compiled fun facts about three of the largest fast food chains in the world.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is a fast-food restaurant chain that was founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California.
Originally a barbecue restaurant, the brothers reorganized the business in 1948 and simplified the menu to focus on hamburgers, french fries, and milkshakes.
They also introduced a new service model called the “Speedee Service System,” which emphasized quick and efficient service.
The first franchise was opened in 1955 by Ray Kroc, who later purchased the company from the McDonald brothers and turned it into a global phenomenon.
Under Kroc’s leadership, McDonald’s expanded rapidly, with thousands of new locations opening around the world in the following decades.
Today, McDonald’s is one of the largest and most recognizable fast-food chains in the world, with over 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries.
Its menu has also expanded to include a wide variety of items beyond hamburgers and fries, such as salads, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast items.
Fun Facts about McDonald’s
1.McDonald’s is the largest toy distributor in the world, with Happy Meal toys being distributed to over 1 billion children every year.
2.McDonald’s restaurants serve over 69 million customers every day, which is more than the population of many countries.
3.In the early days of the company, McDonald’s employees would hand-cut potatoes for french fries, but this was replaced with frozen fries in the 1960s to ensure consistency and speed of service.
4.McDonald’s restaurants in different parts of the world have different menus and some locations offer unique menu items such as McLobster in Canada, McAloo Tikki in India, and McRice Burger in Singapore.
5.McDonald’s is one of the largest private employers in the world, with over 1.7 million employees.
6.McDonald’s also operates McCafé, a chain of coffee shops located within some McDonald’s restaurants, offering a range of coffee drinks, pastries, and sandwiches.
7.McDonald’s has its own university, Hamburger University, which offers courses on various aspects of McDonald’s business operations and management.
8.McDonald’s was the first company to introduce the drive-thru concept in 1975, which has since become a common feature in many fast-food restaurants.
9.McDonald’s has a secret menu, which includes items that are not listed on the regular menu but can be ordered by customers who know about them.
10.The iconic Golden Arches logo of McDonald’s is recognized by more people around the world than the cross.
KFC
KFC, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952. Sanders, who had been running a restaurant in Kentucky for many years, perfected his recipe for fried chicken and began franchising his concept to other restaurants.
The first KFC franchise opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952, and by the mid-1960s, the company had more than 600 locations across the United States and Canada.
In 1964, Sanders sold the company to a group of investors, who eventually took it public.
Today, KFC is one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, with over 23,000 locations in more than 140 countries.
Fun Facts about KFC
1.KFC’s original name was “Sanders Court & Café” and it was a small restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, owned by Harland Sanders.
2.Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC, was not a chef by profession. He was a gas station owner who started cooking and selling fried chicken to travelers passing through his town.
3.The secret recipe for KFC’s original fried chicken, which is still used today, contains 11 herbs and spices. The recipe is kept in a safe at KFC’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, and only a few people know the exact ingredients.
4.KFC has more than 23,000 restaurants in over 140 countries, making it one of the largest fast-food chains in the world.
5.The first KFC franchise was opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952.
6.KFC was acquired by PepsiCo in 1986 and was later spun off as a separate company in 1997.
7.In Japan, KFC is a popular Christmas meal, with customers often placing orders months in advance to avoid the long lines on Christmas day.
8.KFC is one of the largest employers in China, with over 450,000 employees in the country.
9.KFC has experimented with several unconventional menu items over the years, including the Double Down (a sandwich with fried chicken instead of bread) and the Chicken Corsage (a corsage made of fried chicken).
10.In 2020, KFC introduced a 3D-printed chicken nugget made from plant-based materials.
Jollibee
Jollibee is a Filipino multinational chain of fast-food restaurants. It was founded by Tony Tan Caktiong and his family in 1978 in Quezon City, Philippines.
The company started as an ice cream parlor, but soon expanded its menu to include hot meals and sandwiches.
In 1981, Jollibee opened its first international location in Taiwan, and since then, it has continued to expand globally, with locations throughout Asia, the Middle East, North America, and Europe.
Jollibee is now one of the largest and most successful fast-food chains in the world, known for its signature dishes like Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti.
Fun Facts about Jollibee
1.Jollibee was founded in 1975 in the Philippines by Tony Tan Caktiong, who initially started selling ice cream.
2.The name “Jollibee” was inspired by the bee, which symbolizes hard work, family, and community in Filipino culture.
3.Jollibee has become the largest fast-food chain in the Philippines and has expanded to over 1,300 stores worldwide in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Saudi Arabia.
4.The Jollibee mascot, a large bee with a chef’s hat and bowtie, was designed by Filipino artist Tony de Zuniga.
5.Jollibee is known for its signature fried chicken, called Chickenjoy, which is marinated in a special blend of spices and served with a side of gravy.
6.Jollibee also offers a popular Filipino-style spaghetti dish, which includes a sweet tomato sauce and slices of hotdog and ham.
7.In 2019, Jollibee acquired the American burger chain Smashburger, expanding its presence in the United States.
8.Jollibee has a strong social media presence, with over 10 million followers on Facebook and over 1 million on Instagram.
9.Jollibee has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including a partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme to help fight hunger in the Philippines.
10.Jollibee has inspired a cult following, with fans of the brand creating memes, fan art, and even cosplay costumes of the Jollibee mascot.
There you go! These are just three of the many famous fast food chains around the world, each with their own unique menu items and cultural influences. We hope you were able to learn something new from this article!
