Many famous fast food chains that we know and love today started their journey with quite different names. From single-location eateries to the multi-billion dollar franchises they are now, these restaurants have undergone transformations not just in size and menu, but also in their names.
Below, we’ll explore some of the fast food giants that originally sported different monikers.
7. McDonald’s – Originally “McDonald’s Bar-B-Q”
Today, McDonald’s is a global powerhouse with a straightforward name, but it wasn’t always so. The original restaurant, founded by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1940 in San Bernardino, California, was called McDonald’s Bar-B-Q or McDonald’s Famous Barbecue. It served a variety of dishes, including barbecued meats. However, the brothers noticed that most of their sales came from hamburgers, leading them to overhaul their operations in 1948, simplifying the menu and the name to the iconic McDonald’s we know today.
6. KFC – Originally “Sanders Court & Cafe”
Before it was KFC, the renowned fast food chain was named after its founder, Colonel Harland Sanders, and was originally called Sanders Court & Cafe. In the early 1930s, Sanders operated a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, where he began cooking for hungry travelers. He eventually moved his operations to a restaurant close by, naming it Sanders Court & Cafe. The name KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) wasn’t adopted until 1952, when Sanders began franchising his secret recipe “Kentucky Fried Chicken” to other restaurants.
5. Subway – Originally “Pete’s Super Submarines”
Subway, one of the largest fast-food chains globally, was initially named Pete’s Super Submarines when it was founded in 1965. Fred DeLuca borrowed $1,000 from family friend Peter Buck to start his sandwich shop in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The name was a tribute to Buck’s assistance, but it didn’t last long. The shop’s name was changed to Subway in 1968, marking the start of its journey towards becoming an international sandwich franchise.
4. Boston Market -Originally “Boston Chicken”
When Boston Market was founded in 1985, it was first called Boston Chicken and remained that way up until 1995. The chain had specialized in rotisserie chicken and a handful of sides for a decade. Once they expanded their menu to include turkey, meatloaf and ham, it was decided that a name change was warranted to reflect the updated menu.
3. Domino’s Pizza – Originally “DomiNick’s”
When brothers Tom and James Monaghan bought a small Michigan pizza store in 1960, it was named DomiNick’s. However, when Tom Monaghan wanted to start franchising the business, the original owner refused to allow him to use the name. As a result, an employee suggested the name “Domino’s”. This not only solved the issue but also gave birth to the iconic three-dot logo, representing the three original Domino’s stores.
2. Dunkin’ – Originally “Open Kettle”
Before becoming the donut and coffee giant, Dunkin’ was initially named Open Kettle. Founder William Rosenberg opened this doughnut shop in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1948. However, Rosenberg renamed it Dunkin’ Donuts in 1950 after a brainstorming session with his executives.
The new name was meant to underscore the shop’s two major selling points – donuts that you “dunk” into coffee. In 2019, the chain officially rebranded to just “Dunkin'” to reflect their expanded menu offerings.
1. InstaBurger King
Burger King first opened their doors in 1953, and went by a slightly different name – Insta-Burger King. It was originally name after a special broiler the chain used to cook both sides of the burger at once while toasting the buns.
After the broiler malfunctioned one too many times, the owners took an ax to the equipment, and changed the name to Burger King in 1959.
Understanding the history and original names of these famous fast food chains provides a glimpse into their growth and the strategic decisions that have shaped their brands. These name changes often reflect shifts in business strategy, adaptations to changing consumer demands, or the vision of the founders – all playing their part in shaping the fast food landscape we are familiar with today.
