What Was the First Fast Food Restaurant? Where Fast Food Began
When it comes to everyday meals, it’s fascinating how fast food has become part of daily life. But have you ever wondered what the first fast-food restaurant was and how it started?
In this article, we’ll dig deeper into its roots and origin. You might be surprised that fast food history is as old as a century. Continue reading to learn more.
What’s the First Ever Fast Food Restaurant?
The first-ever fast-food restaurant created was the White Castle. The chain all started from a partnership of a cook named Walt Anderson with Billy Ingram, a real estate man.
White Castle set a standard of uniformity for its locations and the fast-food industry.
It had a distinct castle-look design for its restaurant. The name White Castle reflects its mission and values. “White” stands for cleanliness, while “Castle” represents strength and permanence.
| Read: Fast Food Statistics | US & Worldwide Data |
Why Is It Called Fast Food?
Fast foods are foods that can be cooked and served quickly. It is typically designed to prepare in bulk in advance to accommodate large numbers of customers.
The term ’fast-food’ was recognized in Merriam-Webster around the 1960s.
It is seen as a type of restaurant that offers simple fast food. This includes hamburgers, French fries, hotdogs, and drinks like cola and coffee.
White Castle is credited as the world’s first fast-food hamburger chain.
When Did the First Fast Food Restaurant Open?
The White Castle burger chain’s first fast-food restaurant opened in March 1921. White Castle’s original chain only started with a capital of $700.
Walter Anderson and Billy Ingram started the business in 1924. They named it the White Castle System of Eating Houses Corporation.
Last March 2021 marked the 100th birthday of the White Castle, as well as the fast-food industry in the United States. [1] Check out the latest on fast food here.
Where Is It Located?
The first White Castle chain restaurant was located northwest of First and Main in Wichita, Kansas. However, the original White Castle building is no longer standing.
The company opened its second chain in Eldorado, Kansas, in 1922. Then, in 1927, it expanded to the Indianapolis White Castle.
Today, White Castle has more than 300 branch locations across 13 states, mainly in the Midwest and New York metropolitan areas.
What Did the First Fast Food Restaurant Offer?
From the beginning, White Castle has been known for offering a cheap burger menu. Its iconic square hamburgers are called ’sliders’ and are served on a bun with grilled onions.
In 1927 they had the carry-out concept, in which you could buy a sack of burgers. After four years, the company started using individual boxes to pack their hamburgers to keep them hot.
“The idea behind fast food is great – people want convenience.”
– Kimbal Musk, Restaurateur/Chef
The first White Castle restaurant had an open kitchen so the customers could see their orders
The Birth of Iconic Fast Food Chains
Fast food as we know it didn’t appear overnight. It started with a handful of pioneers who redefined quick dining. McDonald’s, Burger King, and other early chains set the foundation for the fast food empire we see today.
Founding Stories of Fast Food Giants
| Chain | Year Founded | Notable Innovation |
| McDonald’s | 1940 | Speedee Service System |
| Burger King | 1954 | Flame-grilled burgers |
| KFC | 1930 | Secret blend of 11 herbs & spices |
These brands changed cooking by offering simple menus and quick service. They set the standard for the industry.
Fast food chains didn’t just sell meals—they created a culture. Their focus on affordability, speed, and convenience influenced dining habits worldwide. Their legacy lives on today. It shows that a simple idea, when done well, can turn into a global phenomenon.
Resolving the A&W Dispute
A&W didn’t start as a fast-food chain but as a walk-up root beer stand in Lodi, California, founded by Roy Allen in 1919.
In 1922, Frank Wright, Roy’s employee, became his partner in this venture and created the first A&W Root Beer. But they created their first restaurant in 1923.
The company evolved into franchises in 1926, and the franchise is believed to include the A&W logo and the original root beer syrup from Allen.
However, A&W did not develop a full-service restaurant and focused on seasonal drink stands in small-town markets. But over the years, some franchisees began selling food in their chain.
| Check out: 10 Best Fast Food Mac & Cheese Restaurant |
The Rise of Automats and Drive-Ins
Before modern fast food chains took over, automats and drive-ins revolutionized the way people dined. Automats appeared in the early 1900s. They were self-service restaurants. Customers could get hot meals from glass compartments that worked with coins. These machines provided fast service, low prices, and a modern dining experience. They attracted busy city folks.
Automats vs. Drive-Ins: How They Changed Dining
| Feature | Automat | Drive-In |
| Service Style | Self-service, coin-operated | Carhop service, on rollers or foot |
| Popular Era | Early 1900s–1960s | 1920s–1960s |
| Key Appeal | Quick, no waitstaff needed | Convenience for car owners |
Drive-ins took convenience further by catering to the rise of car culture. Customers parked, and carhops delivered food straight to their windows, making meals on the go effortless. These innovations set the stage for today’s fast food industry. They showed that speed and easy access would define the future of dining.
FAQs on First Fast Food Restaurant
Who created the first fast-food restaurant?
Walter Anderson and Billy Ingram started White Castle. It was the first fast-food restaurant. It was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in March 1921.
What was the first fast-food restaurant to have a drive-thru?
The In-N-Out burger chain was the first fast-food chain to have a drive-thru service in 1948. It was created by Harry and Esther Snyder that features a two-way speaker system.
This feature first appeared in Baldwin Park, California. It lets drivers order without leaving their cars.
Final Thoughts
White Castle is known as the first fast-food hamburger chain. It started in 1921. It was founded by Walt Anderson and Billy Ingram in Wichita, Kansas.
White Castle originally offered square hamburgers for 5 cents per piece. But they evolved their concepts and improved their advertisements to gain markets.
The company made a lot of effort to standardize its production and branched out its second chain just after a year.
In March 2021, White Castle marked its 100th birthday. This celebration highlighted a century of innovation in fast food.
References:
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/family-owned-white-castle–the-founder-of-fast-food–turns-100-301243074.html
