Dive Into The World Of Flavors On National Fast-Food Day

Next National Fast Food Day Sunday, 16 November 2025

National Fast Food Day on November 16 is the ultimate excuse to skip dinner prep and indulge in your favorite fast food delights.

Fast food has evolved into a beloved American staple, offering an incredible variety of options that go far beyond the classic burger and fries.

Whether you're craving crispy chicken, zesty tacos, cheesy pizza, or a satisfying hot dog, there's something for everyone. So why not treat yourself to a delicious meal that satisfies your cravings and makes life a little easier?

Why It Is Called Fast Food

Fast Food includes those food items that are prepared and served in a quick manner. It was in the 1950s that the term 'Fast Food' first surfaced in the USA. It finally gained recognition in 1951. These are usually inexpensive food items that are mostly convenient for travelers and those who want to grab a quick bite to satisfy their hunger.

National Fast Food Day Background

Even though National Fast Food Day has only recently started being celebrated, there is not a lot of information about the origins of this holiday or who came up with the idea.

All we know is that fast food is an American classic that deserves to be celebrated, as it has served many road travelers and people with lower incomes throughout history. Did you know that fast food was technically invented in America?

In 1921 Walter Anderson and Billy Ingram from Kansas opened the White Castle, the first fast-food restaurant in the United States. The restaurant was an instant hit, with burgers sold for 5 cents each, and food prepared and served quickly. Soon enough, many restaurants started copying the White Castle model.

After World War I, cars also became more affordable and mainstream, so fast-food restaurants created the drive-in option. This made it even easier for people to buy and pick up their food. According to the owner of the Pig Stand, the first restaurant to introduce the drive-thru was in 1921, his invention was so popular because people were too lazy to leave their cars.

The 1950s saw a big boom in fast-food restaurants and their popularity. This was affordable food, prepared in a fast manner, and served in packages making it easier for people to quickly eat it in the restaurant, or conveniently pick up some to take away and enjoy at home with the whole family.

Increasing their popularity with picky eaters, places like Burger King allowed people to “have it their way” and build their burgers to their taste, with all the ingredients they liked.

Eventually, this American trend spread all over the world, and now there are American fast-food places in more than 100 countries.

While initially, fast food was synonymous with sandwiches and burgers, today you can get fast food restaurants for pretty much any type of cuisine - Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Indian… Food courts have never been so diverse!

How to Celebrate National Fast Food Day

Many fast food restaurants on National Fast Food Day promotions and offers, giving you the perfect excuse to treat yourself to your favorite fast food on this day.

If you're trying to avoid fast food for health reasons, many websites offer healthy alternative recipes for some fast food classics, so why not try to make your own at home?

Unveiling the Origins of America's Favorite Fast Food Chains

Chick-fil-A

Renowned for its mouthwatering fried chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A has been a beloved franchise for 77 years, founded by S. Truett Cathy in 1946. Originally named The Dwarf Grill, it later became known as The Dwarf Home.

If you haven't experienced their highly praised chicken sandwich yet, now might be the perfect time to give it a try! With an impressive 85% customer satisfaction rate, Chick-fil-A consistently delights its patrons. Additionally, their grilled nuggets and Cool Wrap have gained a loyal following, making them fan favorites as well.

McDonald's

McDonald's is one of the most successful fast food chains not just in America but the entire world. Their menu includes a diverse range of items starting from burgers, fries, chicken, milkshakes, and soft drinks to desserts.

Two brothers Maurice and Richard McDonald started this restaurant in 1948 in San Bernardino, California. At that time, the concept of preparing the food beforehand was an alien concept which is why orders took time to prepare.

However, the McDonald brothers were way ahead in this game as they had self-service counters along with pre-prepared burgers which were kept hot with the help of high-powered heat lamps. This drastically increased their customer base.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell has quite an interesting origin story. Glen Bell, the founder, established the restaurant in Downey, California in 1962.

Glen wanted to try something different which would give him an edge over his competitors like McDonald's. In 1948, he noticed that a big crowd had gathered at a café called Mitla Café to try their tacos.

This was enough to get him completely invested in the idea. He would often eat tacos at the place to try to figure out the recipe. Finally, his luck shone as the café's owners revealed the recipe and even taught him how to make tacos.

Burger King

This multinational fast food chain was originally established in Miami, Florida in 1954 by a father and step-son duo named Mathew Burns and Keith J. Cramer.

Drawing inspiration from McDonald's, the duo acquired the rights to an innovative Insta broiler machine, revolutionizing burger production and garnering instant popularity. Now the restaurant exists in over 100 countries!

If you have not yet tried their famous Whopper burger, you are missing out because it is their best-selling item. Besides this, their hamburgers also enjoy a huge fan base.