Introduction
The restaurant industry has seen many changes over the years, with some restaurants becoming iconic and having a lasting impact on the way we dine. From fast food to fine dining, these nine restaurant chains have completely changed the way we eat out. From the first drive-thru to the first fast-casual restaurant, these nine restaurant chains have revolutionized the way we dine out. From the first fast-food restaurant to the first fast-casual restaurant, these nine restaurant chains have completely changed the way we eat out. From the first family-style restaurant to the first fast-casual restaurant, these nine restaurant chains have revolutionized the way we dine out. From the first fast-food restaurant to the first family-style restaurant, these nine restaurant chains have completely changed the way we eat out. From the first drive-thru to the first fast-casual restaurant, these nine restaurant chains have revolutionized the way we dine out.
9 Restaurant Chains That Completely Changed Dining Forever
The restaurant industry has seen a lot of changes over the years, and some of the most influential changes have come from restaurant chains. From fast food to fine dining, these nine restaurant chains have completely changed the way we dine.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is one of the most iconic restaurant chains in the world. Founded in 1940, the fast-food giant has revolutionized the way people eat. From its iconic Big Mac to its Happy Meals, McDonald’s has become a staple of American culture.
Starbucks
Starbucks is another iconic restaurant chain that has changed the way people drink coffee. Founded in 1971, Starbucks has become a global phenomenon, with more than 30,000 locations in over 70 countries. From its signature Frappuccinos to its seasonal drinks, Starbucks has become a go-to destination for coffee lovers.
Chipotle
Chipotle is a fast-casual restaurant chain that has revolutionized the way people eat Mexican food. Founded in 1993, Chipotle has become a leader in the fast-casual industry, offering fresh, customizable burritos, tacos, and bowls. Chipotle has also become a leader in sustainability, using locally sourced ingredients and compostable packaging.
Subway
Subway is a fast-food restaurant chain that has changed the way people eat sandwiches. Founded in 1965, Subway has become a global phenomenon, with more than 40,000 locations in over 100 countries. Subway is known for its customizable sandwiches, which can be made with a variety of fresh ingredients.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is one of the most iconic pizza chains in the world. Founded in 1958, Pizza Hut has become a leader in the pizza industry, offering a variety of pizzas, pastas, and sides. Pizza Hut is also known for its delivery service, which has made it a go-to destination for pizza lovers.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a fast-food restaurant chain that has changed the way people eat Mexican food. Founded in 1962, Taco Bell has become a leader in the fast-food industry, offering a variety of tacos, burritos, and other Mexican-inspired dishes. Taco Bell is also known for its innovative menu items, such as the Doritos Locos Tacos.
KFC
KFC is a fast-food restaurant chain that has changed the way people eat fried chicken. Founded in 1930, KFC has become a leader in the fast-food industry, offering a variety of fried chicken, sides, and desserts. KFC is also known for its secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices, which has made it a go-to destination for fried chicken lovers.
Olive Garden
Olive Garden is an Italian-American restaurant chain that has changed the way people eat Italian food. Founded in 1982, Olive Garden has become a leader in the casual dining industry, offering a variety of Italian-inspired dishes, such as pasta, pizza, and salads. Olive Garden is also known for its unlimited breadsticks, which have become a staple of the restaurant.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s is an American restaurant chain that has changed the way people eat casual dining. Founded in 1980, Applebee’s has become a leader in the casual dining industry, offering a variety of American-style dishes, such as burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Applebee’s is also known for its friendly atmosphere, which has made it a go-to destination for families.
There are plenty of restaurant chains so well-established that we take them for granted and rather assume they must have been around for generations. It’s hard to imagine a life without a McDonald’s, a Chipotle, a Dunkin’, or a Texas Roadhouse somewhere nearby, right? Well, as it happens, if you were to hop into a time machine and travel back 30 years, two of the restaurants mentioned just now would not yet exist, but they changed dining forever.
And neither would any of the restaurant chains we’re featuring here today, either: every chain noted here is less than 30 years old. T birthday is fast approaching for several restaurant chains below, while one of the chains is in fact a mere 15 years old at the time of this writing.
Be glad you live today in a time when mighty burritos, smashed burgers, and lettuce wraps are nearly ubiquitous, because back in your parents’ day—or your earlier days, even—these nine restaurant chains didn’t even exist.
The first Texas Roadhouse was established in February of the year 1993. And in Clarksville, Indiana, not in Texas, FYI. Today, in terms of sales, Texas Roadhouse is the biggest steakhouse in America, with $3.717 billion in total revenue in 2021. For reference, runner-up Outback trailed notably with $2.621 billion in sales that same year. Those impressive sales were generated by Texas Roadhouse’s 615 locations, which span every state. Want to know more? Check out: 10 Secrets About Texas Roadhouse You Never Knew
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Also turning 30 in 2023 is Chipotle, which was founded in the summer of 1993 in Denver, Colorado. Formally called Chipotle Mexican Grill, today the chain boasts an impressive 3,095 locations in America and around the world. And per data sourced from YCharts, the chain enjoyed 2021 revenues of $7.547 billion USD.
Also in the 1993 founding, turning 30 in 2023 “club” is P.F. Chang’s, home to those beloved lettuce wraps and spring rolls and wonton soups and more sodium than you should even think about. There are some 300 P.F. Chang’s restaurants on the planet today, per the restaurant’s website, and per Zippia, the chain enjoyed revenues of $1.2 billion in 2021.
Qdoba was founded in Denver in the year 1995, though it was then known as Zuma Fresh Mexican Grill. The name changed to Z-TECA a couple of years later in 1997, and the final change came in 1999 when the chain was switched to QDOBA. Today there are more than 730 QDOBA restaurants, and per Restaurant Business Online, the chain saw sales of around $820 million in 2020, the most recent year for which data was readily available.
The first Bonefish Grill was opened a little over two decades back in the year 2000. Today there are 180 Bonefish Grill locations, most of which are concentrated up and down the East Coast and in the South, though a few can be found in Texas, Colorado, Nevada, and other states. The chain enjoyed revenues of about $619 million in 2021, per Zippia.
Hard to believe it but it’s true: WingStreet is not yet 20 years old at the time of this writing, the chain having been founded in 2003. The Pizza Hut partner launched big, though, with 1,000 units opening within four years, per the Pizza Hut Fandom wiki. It’s hard to tell how much money WingStreet generates annually as it’s in the Yum! Brands portfolio, but Yum! is doing fine, with annual overall revenues of $6.58 billion in 2021 per Statista.
Shake Shack is still a teenager, having been founded in 2004. The burger and shake joint grew fast, though, spreading out from coast to coast by 2014 and going public with an IPO in 2015. Today there are more than 360 locations and the chain is present in dozens of countries. Revenues were around $739.9 million in 2021.
The first Duck Donuts opened back during the second term of President George W. Bush in 2007. And what “started as a whim” according to the chain’s founder soon grew into a successful chain. The chain aims to hit 215 locations in the near future, and per GrowJo, the chain enjoys revenues around $134.3 million annually.
Like Duck Donuts, Smashburger was founded in the year 2007. And like Chipotle and Qdoba, it was founded in Denver. But this burger chain hardly stayed there: today, there are nearly 220 Smashburger locations spread around America, with many found on the East Coast, plenty out West, and a number of units in Texas, Florida, and other states, including, of course, Colorado. And per Zippia, systemwide, the chain generated some $338.3 million in sales in 2021.