From late-night cravings to quick lunch breaks, fast food chains are a staple in many of our daily lives. But how much do we really know about these beloved brands? In this article, we delve into some surprising facts about your favorite fast food chains, uncovering hidden secrets and intriguing stories behind their popular menus. Prepare to be amazed as we explore what really goes on beyond the order window!
McDonald’s Used to Serve Pizza
In the late 1980s, McDonald’s briefly experimented with serving pizza. The item was discontinued due to the long cooking time of 11 minutes, which was not compatible with McDonald’s quick-service model.
Burger King’s Left-Handed Whopper
On April 1, 1998, Burger King announced a new ‘Left-Handed Whopper’ specially designed for left-handed eaters. This was an April Fool’s prank that fooled many into believing that the burger had been rotated 180 degrees to optimize condiment distribution.
Subway’s Bread Used to Contain a Chemical Found in Yoga Mats
Subway’s bread once included azodicarbonamide, a chemical also used in yoga mats and rubber shoes. Public backlash led to its removal from their bread recipe in 2014.
KFC’s Secret Recipe is Guarded in a High-Security Vault
KFC’s famous 11 herbs and spices recipe is one of the best-kept secrets in the fast-food industry, stored in a massive vault and protected by an array of high-tech security measures.
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte Didn’t Originally Contain Pumpkin
When Starbucks first introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003, it didn’t actually include any pumpkin in its recipe. The addition of pumpkin puree came only in 2015, after consumer demand for more natural flavors.
Taco Bell Was Sued Over the Definition of ‘Beef’
Taco Bell faced a lawsuit in 2011 when a law firm claimed their ‘beef’ contained only 35% actual beef. Taco Bell responded aggressively with a campaign clarifying that their beef was 88% beef and 12% secret recipe.
Domino’s Pizza Once Guaranteed Delivery in 30 Minutes or Less
This policy ended in 1993 in the United States due to concerns over road safety and legal implications following several accidents.
Wendy’s Founder Dave Thomas Went Back to School
Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, went back to high school and earned his GED at the age of 61, proving it’s never too late to prioritize education.
McDonald’s Golden Arches are More Recognized than the Cross
According to a survey, more people worldwide recognize the McDonald’s logo than the Christian cross, highlighting the immense global reach and influence of the brand.
Dunkin’ Donuts Used to Be Called ‘Open Kettle’
Originally named Open Kettle when it was founded in 1948, the name was changed to Dunkin’ Donuts in 1950 to emphasize the product that would become its signature.
Chick-fil-A Invented the Chicken Sandwich
According to company history, Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy created the original chicken sandwich in the early 1960s, which became the cornerstone of their menu.
Pizza Hut’s Book It! Program Boosted Literacy Rates
Since 1984, Pizza Hut’s Book It! program has been encouraging children to read. Participating children receive a free personal pan pizza for meeting their monthly reading goals, intertwining literacy with rewards.
The ‘Drive-Thru’ Concept Was Popularized by In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger, founded in 1948, was among the first to develop a two-way speaker box for drive-thru ordering, revolutionizing fast food service methods.
Chipotle Was Originally Funded by McDonald’s
McDonald’s was a major investor in Chipotle from 1998 until 2006, helping it grow from 16 stores to over 500 during that period.
Five Guys Offers Over 250,000 Possible Ways to Order a Burger
Thanks to its vast array of toppings, Five Guys boasts that there are over 250,000 ways to order a burger at their restaurants, catering to a wide variety of tastes.
Wendy’s Chili is Made from Overcooked Burgers
Rather than waste burgers that have stayed on the grill too long, Wendy’s repurposes them into their chili, a clever and eco-friendly cooking strategy.
Tim Hortons Was Founded by a Hockey Player
The Canadian coffee chain was co-founded in 1964 by Tim Horton, who was a professional hockey player in the NHL at the time.
White Castle is the Oldest Fast Food Chain in America
Established in 1921, White Castle is recognized as the first fast food chain in the U.S., paving the way for the fast food industry.
Arby’s Name is Based on the Founders’ Initials
The chain was founded by the Raffel brothers (RB) and the name Arby’s is derived from the phonetic pronunciation of “R.B.”
Shake Shack Started as a Hot Dog Cart
Shake Shack began as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park, NYC, in 2001 to support the park’s first art installation. The cart was so popular it turned into a permanent kiosk three years later.
This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos.
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