History of Fast food in Timeline

Fast food is mass-produced food prioritized for speed of service, typically sold in restaurants or stores with pre-prepared ingredients. It is served in packaging for takeaway. Created to cater to busy individuals, the global fast-food industry was estimated to be worth $570 billion in 2018.

1910: More than 25,000 fish and chip shops across the UK

By 1910, there were more than 25,000 fish and chip shops across the UK.

1916: Walter Anderson built the first White Castle restaurant

Walter Anderson had built the first White Castle restaurant in Wichita in 1916, introducing the limited menu, high-volume, low-cost, high-speed hamburger restaurant.

1921: White Castle opened the first fast food outlet and first hamburger chain

In 1921, White Castle, founded by Billy Ingram and Walter Anderson in Wichita, Kansas, is generally credited with opening the first fast food outlet and first hamburger chain, selling hamburgers for five cents each.

1921: Franchising was introduced by A&W Root Beer

In 1921, franchising was introduced by A&W Root Beer, which franchised its distinctive syrup.

1928: Harry Ramsden's fast food restaurant chain opened its first fish and chip shop

Harry Ramsden's fast food restaurant chain opened its first fish and chip shop in Guiseley, West Yorkshire in 1928.

1952: Harry Ramsden's served 10,000 portions of fish and chips

On a single day in 1952, Harry Ramsden's served 10,000 portions of fish and chips, earning a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

1969: Bar "Pasztecik" founded in Szczecin

The first bar serving pasztecik szczeciński, Bar "Pasztecik" was founded in 1969, is located on Wojska Polskiego Avenue 46 in Szczecin.

1970: Consumers spent $6 billion on fast food in the US

In 1970, consumers in the United States spent $6 billion on fast food.

December 1984: First non-US Subway opened in Bahrain

The first non-US Subway location opened in December 1984 in Bahrain.

January 31, 1990: McDonald's opened a restaurant in Moscow

On January 31, 1990, McDonald's opened a restaurant in Moscow and broke opening-day records for customers served.

2004: Release of the film Super Size Me

In 2004, the film Super Size Me was released, designed to highlight the potential negative health effects from the overconsumption of fast food.

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2006: The global fast-food market grew by 4.8%

In 2006, the global fast-food market grew by 4.8% and reached a value of £102.4 billion and a volume of 80.3 billion transactions.

May 2009: Subway had approximately 39,129 restaurants in 90 countries

As of May 2009, Subway had approximately 39,129 restaurants in 90 countries.

2010: 4.1 million U.S. workers are employed in food preparation and serving

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 4.1 million U.S. workers were employed in food preparation and serving (including fast food) as of 2010.

April 2011: McDonald's hired approximately 62,000 new workers

In April 2011, McDonald's hired approximately 62,000 new workers and received a million applications for those positions.

2012: Consumers spent $160 billion on fast food in the US

In 2012, consumers in the United States spent $160 billion on fast food.

2013: US restaurant industry total projected sales of $660.5 billion

In 2013, the US restaurant industry had total projected sales of $660.5 billion.

2013: The median age of workers in the industry was 28

In 2013, the median age of workers in the industry was 28.

2013: Time invested on food preparation is getting lower

In 2013, the time invested on food preparation was getting lower, with an average woman in the United States spending 47 minutes per day preparing food and the average man spending 19 minutes per day.

2014: WHO published a study claiming deregulated food markets are largely to blame for the obesity crisis

In 2014, the World Health Organization published a study which claims that deregulated food markets are largely to blame for the obesity crisis, and suggested tighter regulations to reverse the trend.