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The Daily Insight Hub

What was the first fast food restaurant ever created in 1921?

Author

Matthew Harrington

Updated on January 18, 2026

White Castle
One of the first fast-food chains to emerge was White Castle, founded by Bill Ingram in Wichita in 1921; the design of the original White Castle was inspired by the Water Tower building in Chicago.

What was America’s first chain restaurant?

White Castle opened in Wichita, Kan. in 1921. In addition to being credited with the invention of the hamburger bun, it is also officially recognized as the oldest fast-food chain in America. Founders Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson sold their small, square burgers (known as “sliders”) for 5 cents.

What was the first hamburger fast food restaurant?

White Castle is known as the first fast-food hamburger chain in the world, founded by E.W. “Billy” Ingram in 1921. The restaurant’s claim to fame is its invention of the slider, a miniature hamburger that it’s still known for today.

Was the name of the first fast food hamburger chain that opened its doors in 1921?

White Castle was founded in 1921 by Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson in Wichita, Kansas. From the start White Castle sold burgers, so it is definitely the oldest fast food burger chain in the world.

What is the most popular fast-food restaurant 2021?

The American Customer Satisfaction Index released its list of best fast-food restaurants, and Chick-fil-A took the top title for the seventh straight year. Of the fast-food places, also known as limited-service restaurants, Chick-fil-A came in first place with a score of 83 out of 100.

What is the oldest restaurant in the United States?

The White Horse Tavern
The White Horse Tavern is the “oldest operating restaurant in the U.S.” and is acknowledged as the 10tholdest in the world. The White Horse Tavern is a National Historic Landmark being America’s oldest restaurant, having served guests since 1673.

Is Burger King owned by China?

TFI, which runs more than 1,200 Burger King outlets across China, is the biggest franchisee for Burger King globally, managing close to 2,000 restaurants in Turkey and China, according to its website. Its China business, which started in 2012, is present in more than 150 cities.

Which fast food restaurant was literally founded in a broom closet?

Which fast food chain was literally founded in a broom closet? Answer: The Papa John’s restaurant franchise was founded in 1984 when “Papa” John Schnatter knocked out a broom closet in the back of his father’s tavern.

What is the oldest restaurant in the US?

Where did Walter Anderson sell hamburgers in Kansas?

Walter Anderson. Walter Anderson was born November 26, 1880, in St. Marys, Kansas. In 1916 Anderson began to sell hamburgers out of a streetcar body in a busy intersection in Wichita, Kansas.

What was the first hamburger chain in America?

In 1921 Anderson met E.W. Ingram and together they began the restaurant chain White Castle in Wichita. White Castle was the first hamburger chain in the United States and became famous for its little burgers.

Which is the oldest fast food restaurant in the world?

Since A&W started out as a root beer stand, many people consider White Castle to be the world’s first true fast food restaurant. White Castle was founded in 1921 by Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson in Wichita, Kansas. From the start White Castle sold burgers, so it is definitely the oldest fast food burger chain in the world.

How did Burger King become a fast food chain?

The broiled burgers were such as hit that Kramer and Burns started franchising right away and required all franchises to use the Insta-Broiler machine. Insta-Burger King grew rapidly within two years, but began facing financial troubles despite the success.