National Fast Food Day 🍔

Overview

National Fast Food Day, observed annually on November 16th, is an unofficial holiday dedicated to celebrating the convenience, widespread availability, and cultural phenomenon of fast food. It encourages people to indulge in their favorite quick-service meals, from burgers and fries to tacos and pizza, acknowledging the industry's significant impact on dining habits worldwide.

Origin and story

White Castle, founded in 1921, is widely recognized as America's first fast-food chain.

McDonald's serves approximately 69 million people daily across more than 100 countries worldwide.

Quick facts

• DateNovember 16
• TypeFood / Dessert
• Great forFoodies, Chocolate lovers, Home bakers

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Ways to celebrate

The industry got its start with a $700 investment and a very deliberate plan to win over a skeptical public.

Meet the founders

Walter Anderson had been running food stands out of a converted streetcar in Wichita, Kansas since 1916; in 1921 he partnered with insurance man Edgar "Billy" Ingram to open White Castle, selling square hamburgers — now known as sliders — for five cents apiece.

Understand why it looked the way it did

After Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle" made Americans wary of ground beef, White Castle built small buildings with stainless steel interiors and put employees in spotless uniforms specifically to project cleanliness and win back customer trust.

Read the fuller history

Helpful resources:

• White Castle Created a Playbook for American Fast Food (KCUR, NPR)

Did you know?

White Castle is still family-owned by the Ingram family a century later — a rarity in an industry where nearly every other early chain sold out, franchised widely, or disappeared.

Fun facts

• White Castle, founded in 1921, is widely recognized as America's first fast-food chain.
• McDonald's serves approximately 69 million people daily across more than 100 countries worldwide.
• The first modern drive-thru restaurant was Red's Giant Hamburg in Springfield, Missouri, which opened in 1947.

Sources and attribution

White Castle Created a Playbook for American Fast Food (KCUR, NPR)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

Continue your streak

Open one more holiday before you go to build daily momentum.

• Yesterday: Clean Out Your Refrigerator DayQuick context from the day before.
• Tomorrow: Homemade Bread DayKeep the streak going with tomorrow's pick.
• Random pick: National Ferret DayJump to another surprise holiday.
• Popular: National Fettuccine Alfredo DayA fan favorite with broad appeal.

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FAQ

When is National Fast Food Day?

It is observed on November 16 each year.

What is National Fast Food Day?

National Fast Food Day, observed annually on November 16th, is an unofficial holiday dedicated to celebrating the convenience, widespread availability, and cultural phenomenon of fast food. It encourages people to indulge in their favorite quick-service meals, from burgers and fries to tacos and pizza, acknowledging the industry's significant impact on dining habits worldwide.

How do people celebrate National Fast Food Day?

Grab a burger and think back to 1921, when Walter Anderson and Billy Ingram opened White Castle in Wichita, Kansas with just $700 and five-cent sliders, launching America's first fast-food chain.

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