Burger King is a chain of fast food restaurants. In fact it is the third largest hamburger fast food chain in the country. Known for its signature burger “The Whopper,” their immediately recognizable logo, and locations all over the United States and beyond, they are a big part of American restaurant culture.

Open for more than half a century, combining quality and speed, they’ve found a winning recipe. They are so successful that every day they serve more than eleven million people worldwide. Despite their success, they continue to compete with other big-name fast food companies, of which there are many.

History

In 1953 a restaurant called Insta-Burger was opened by Keith Kramer and Matthew Burns in Jacksonville, Florida. They started franchising in 1959 and later that year the whole restaurant chain was purchased by two franchise-owners James McLamore and David Edgerton, who renamed the chain Burger King and expanded it to over 250 locations. By 1963, they had even expanded into other countries.

In 1967 it changed hands again; the chain was bought by Pillsbury. Under the new management they standardized the restaurants and expanded the menu. When Pillsbury became a part of Grand Metropolitan in 1989, and then by TPG Capital in 200 and with that new leadership, came more new ideas for the restaurants.

In 2006 the company revamped advertising and the menu but only a few years later, it was bought by its current owners, 3G Capital Brazil. Although the Head owner of the chain has changed many times through the years, most of the restaurants in the United States are privately owned franchises.

Currently, Burger King’s headquarters are in Miami, Florida, and over the years while there have been rumors of relocating, they have stayed. There are plans to expand the brand and a potential merge with a Canadian-based donut shop is possible in the future. Considering the fierce competition for fast food restaurants in the United States and around the world, this would distinguish them significantly.

Review

Burger King offers a wide range of items at a low cost and fast turnover to people on the go. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert and even have an extremely economical Value Menu. While their specialty is burgers, the offer salads, shakes, chicken sandwiches, coffee and a large selection on their kids menu called “King Jr” meals.

You can expect as close to no wait time you can get, except during busy hours when it get up to five minutes, but even that easily trumps your traditional fast-casual restaurant. With choices of taking your food on the go, sitting and eating it in-house or simply going through the drive-through, Burger King works at your pace.

The menu is also designed to be economical, with the average meal costing just around $5. Their most popular items include “The Whopper” and the “Big King.” Staff is welcoming and friendly, and the restaurants are clean and well-kept. Over the years they offered toys with their kids’ meals, but they have recently stopped that practice.

Burger King offers a variety of options at reasonable prices, and does it all quickly and with a smile, including healthier options like chicken and salad for those who want something lighter. Expansion over the last few decades has shown that they are not afraid to change, grow, and adapt to the times.