COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5812

Restaurants, Including Fast Food

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

112companies1878–1997founding years112still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedGrand Hotel Krasnapolsky N.V.
1878
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedShiseido Company, Limited
1927
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedGranada Group PLC
1934
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedHarveys Casino Resorts
1955
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedLittle Caesar Enterprises, Inc.
1959
FoundedTaco Bell Corp.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedFoodmaker, Inc.
1966
FoundedOld Spaghetti Factory International Inc.
1969
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
FoundedNoble Roman's Inc.
1972
FoundedUnique Casual Restaurants, Inc.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedBen & Jerry's Homemade, Inc.
1978
FoundedAdvantica Restaurant Group, Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
FoundedIl Fornaio (America) Corporation
1980
FoundedQuality Dining, Inc.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedJardine Matheson Holdings Limited
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedCheckers Drive-Up Restaurants Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedFazoli's Systems, Inc.
1990
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedRainforest Cafe, Inc.
1994
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

In-N-Out Burger →
Active
In-N-Out Burger, a California Corporation, is a leading fast-food retail chain with more than 120 locations in…
In-N-Out Burger →
Active
In-N-Out Burger, a California Corporation, is a leading fast-food retail chain with more than 120 locations in…
Metromedia Company →
Active
Metromedia Company has emerged over the past decade as one of the largest private concerns in the United States, with…
Metromedia Company →
Active
Metromedia Company has emerged over the past decade as one of the largest private concerns in the United States, with…
Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky N.V. →
Active · founded 1878 · Netherlands
Long a fixture of Amsterdam's famed Dam Square, Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky N.V.
Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky N.V. →
Active · founded 1878 · Netherlands
Long a fixture of Amsterdam's famed Dam Square, Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky N.V.
Galeries Lafayette S.A. →
Active · founded 1905 · France
Galeries Lafayette S.A.
Galeries Lafayette S.A. →
Active · founded 1905 · France
Galeries Lafayette S.A.
Sanborn Hermanos, S.A. →
Active · founded 1907 · Mexico
Best known in the United States as the American tourist's home away from home in Mexico, Sanborn Hermanos, S.A.
Sanborn Hermanos, S.A. →
Active · founded 1907 · Mexico
Best known in the United States as the American tourist's home away from home in Mexico, Sanborn Hermanos, S.A.
Shiseido Company, Limited →
Active · founded 1927 · Japan
Shiseido Company, Limited is the leading cosmetics company in Japan and one of the largest in the world.
Shiseido Company, Limited →
Active · founded 1927 · Japan
Shiseido Company, Limited is the leading cosmetics company in Japan and one of the largest in the world.
Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1929
Edison Brothers Stores, Inc., is a leading retailer, specializing in apparel, footwear, and entertainment.
Edison Brothers Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1929
Edison Brothers Stores, Inc., is a leading retailer, specializing in apparel, footwear, and entertainment.
Valhi, Inc. →
Active · founded 1932
Valhi, Inc.
Valhi, Inc. →
Active · founded 1932
Valhi, Inc.
Granada Group PLC →
Active · founded 1934 · United Kingdom
Granada Group PLC is a leading U.K.
Granada Group PLC →
Active · founded 1934 · United Kingdom
Granada Group PLC is a leading U.K.
Carlson Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1938
Carlson Companies, Inc.
Carlson Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1938
Carlson Companies, Inc.
Piccadilly Cafeterias, Inc. →
Active · founded 1944
Piccadilly Cafeterias, Inc.
Piccadilly Cafeterias, Inc. →
Active · founded 1944
Piccadilly Cafeterias, Inc.
Harveys Casino Resorts →
Active · founded 1955
Founded in 1944, Harveys Casino Resorts is an established owner, operator, and developer of high quality hotel/casinos…
Harveys Casino Resorts →
Active · founded 1955
Founded in 1944, Harveys Casino Resorts is an established owner, operator, and developer of high quality hotel/casinos…
KFC Corporation →
Active · founded 1955
KFC Corporation is the largest fast-food chicken operator, developer, and franchiser in the world.
KFC Corporation →
Active · founded 1955
KFC Corporation is the largest fast-food chicken operator, developer, and franchiser in the world.
El Chico Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
One of the largest Mexican dinner house chains in the United States, El Chico Restaurants, Inc.
El Chico Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
One of the largest Mexican dinner house chains in the United States, El Chico Restaurants, Inc.
Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.
Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.
Luby's Cafeteria's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Luby's Cafeterias, Inc.
Luby's Cafeteria's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Luby's Cafeterias, Inc.
Pizza Hut Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Pizza Hut Inc.
Pizza Hut Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Pizza Hut Inc.
Taco Bell Corp. →
Active · founded 1962
Taco Bell Corp.
Taco Bell Corp. →
Active · founded 1962
Taco Bell Corp.
Summit Family Restaurants Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
Summit Family Restaurants Inc., formerly known as JB's Restaurants Inc., is one of the nation's top 100 restaurant…
Summit Family Restaurants Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
Summit Family Restaurants Inc., formerly known as JB's Restaurants Inc., is one of the nation's top 100 restaurant…
Chick-fil-A Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
With some 722 units in 35 states, Chick-fil-A Inc.
Chick-fil-A Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
With some 722 units in 35 states, Chick-fil-A Inc.
Foodmaker, Inc. →
Active · founded 1966
Foodmaker, Inc., is the operator and franchisor of Jack in the Box restaurants, the fifth-largest fast-food hamburger…
Foodmaker, Inc. →
Active · founded 1966
Foodmaker, Inc., is the operator and franchisor of Jack in the Box restaurants, the fifth-largest fast-food hamburger…
Ground Round, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
A pioneer in casual dining restaurant chains, Ground Round, Inc.
Ground Round, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
A pioneer in casual dining restaurant chains, Ground Round, Inc.
Shoney's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Shoney's, Inc., is one of the restaurant industry's most respected companies.
Shoney's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1968
Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Shoney's, Inc., is one of the restaurant industry's most respected companies.
Old Spaghetti Factory International Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Old Spaghetti Factory International Inc.
Old Spaghetti Factory International Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Old Spaghetti Factory International Inc.
Restaurants Unlimited, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
One of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the United States, Restaurants Unlimited, Inc.
Restaurants Unlimited, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
One of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the United States, Restaurants Unlimited, Inc.
Max & Erma's Restaurants Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Max & Erma's Restaurants Inc.
Max & Erma's Restaurants Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Max & Erma's Restaurants Inc.
Noble Roman's Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Operating a chain of casual dining restaurants in the Midwest, Noble Roman's Inc.
Noble Roman's Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Operating a chain of casual dining restaurants in the Midwest, Noble Roman's Inc.
Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc., owns, operates, and franchises full-service, family-style Italian restaurants.
Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Spaghetti Warehouse, Inc., owns, operates, and franchises full-service, family-style Italian restaurants.
The Marcus Corporation →
Active · founded 1972
As American business success stories go, The Marcus Corporation's is a classic.
The Marcus Corporation →
Active · founded 1972
As American business success stories go, The Marcus Corporation's is a classic.
Unique Casual Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1973
A restaurant operator undergoing extensive change, Unique Casual Restaurants, Inc.
Unique Casual Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1973
A restaurant operator undergoing extensive change, Unique Casual Restaurants, Inc.
GIB Group →
Active · founded 1974 · Belgium
GIB Group, Belgium's top retailer, is active in four sectors: supermarkets and hypermarkets; do-it-yourself (DIY) home…
GIB Group →
Active · founded 1974 · Belgium
GIB Group, Belgium's top retailer, is active in four sectors: supermarkets and hypermarkets; do-it-yourself (DIY) home…
Station Casinos Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
Station Casinos Inc.
Station Casinos Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
Station Casinos Inc.
Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc.
Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc.
Levy Restaurants L.P. →
Active · founded 1978
A fast-growing foodservice operator based in Chicago, Levy Restaurants L.P.
Levy Restaurants L.P. →
Active · founded 1978
A fast-growing foodservice operator based in Chicago, Levy Restaurants L.P.
The Cheesecake Factory Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
The Cheesecake Factory Inc.
The Cheesecake Factory Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
The Cheesecake Factory Inc.
Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc., is one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States, operating 3,300…
Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Advantica Restaurant Group, Inc., is one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States, operating 3,300…
Travel Ports of America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Travel Ports of America, Inc., operates around-the-clock, full-service travel plazas that provide customers with motor…
Travel Ports of America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
Travel Ports of America, Inc., operates around-the-clock, full-service travel plazas that provide customers with motor…
Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1980 · Mexico
Grupo Carso, S.A.
Grupo Carso, S.A. de C.V. →
Active · founded 1980 · Mexico
Grupo Carso, S.A.
Il Fornaio (America) Corporation →
Active · founded 1980
Il Fornaio (America) Corporation owns and operates 17 full-service, upscale Italian restaurants and five wholesale…
Il Fornaio (America) Corporation →
Active · founded 1980
Il Fornaio (America) Corporation owns and operates 17 full-service, upscale Italian restaurants and five wholesale…
Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
A relatively small player in the overall retail food service industry, Au Bon Pain Co., Inc.
Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
A relatively small player in the overall retail food service industry, Au Bon Pain Co., Inc.
Hungry Howie's Pizza and Subs, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Hungry Howie's Pizza and Subs, Inc.
Hungry Howie's Pizza and Subs, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Hungry Howie's Pizza and Subs, Inc.
Quality Dining, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Quality Dining, Inc.
Quality Dining, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Quality Dining, Inc.
TCBY Enterprises Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
TCBY Enterprises Inc.
TCBY Enterprises Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
TCBY Enterprises Inc.
Ark Restaurants Corp. →
Active · founded 1983
Ark Restaurants Corp.
Ark Restaurants Corp. →
Active · founded 1983
Ark Restaurants Corp.
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited →
Active · founded 1984 · Bermuda
Jardine Matheson is one of the oldest names in East Asia, and Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is an international…
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited →
Active · founded 1984 · Bermuda
Jardine Matheson is one of the oldest names in East Asia, and Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is an international…
California Pizza Kitchen Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
California Pizza Kitchen Inc.
California Pizza Kitchen Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
California Pizza Kitchen Inc.
Chart House Enterprises, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Chart House Enterprises, Inc.
Chart House Enterprises, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Chart House Enterprises, Inc.
Checkers Drive-Up Restaurants Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
With its distinctive black and white checkerboard squares surrounded by bright red and chrome, Checkers Drive-Up…
Checkers Drive-Up Restaurants Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
With its distinctive black and white checkerboard squares surrounded by bright red and chrome, Checkers Drive-Up…
Fresh Choice, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Now entering its second decade, California-based Fresh Choice, Inc.
Fresh Choice, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Now entering its second decade, California-based Fresh Choice, Inc.
Outback Steakhouse, Inc. →
Active · founded 1987
Outback Steakhouse, Inc., runs a chain of casual restaurants with and Australian theme based in the South and the…
Outback Steakhouse, Inc. →
Active · founded 1987
Outback Steakhouse, Inc., runs a chain of casual restaurants with and Australian theme based in the South and the…
Fazoli's Systems, Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
Fazoli's Systems, Inc.
Fazoli's Systems, Inc. →
Active · founded 1990
Fazoli's Systems, Inc.
Planet Hollywood International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Planet Hollywood International, Inc.
Planet Hollywood International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Planet Hollywood International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Marriott International, Inc.--formed in 1993 when Marriott Corporation split into two separate companies--is the…
Marriott International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Marriott International, Inc.--formed in 1993 when Marriott Corporation split into two separate companies--is the…
Rainforest Cafe, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Rainforest Cafe, Inc.
Rainforest Cafe, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Rainforest Cafe, Inc.
Roadhouse Grill, Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Roadhouse Grill, Inc.
Roadhouse Grill, Inc. →
Active · founded 1996
Roadhouse Grill, Inc.
Diageo plc →
Active · founded 1997 · United Kingdom
Diageo plc is a world leader in branded food and drinks.
Diageo plc →
Active · founded 1997 · United Kingdom
Diageo plc is a world leader in branded food and drinks.
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