24 Vintage Photos of Fast Food Joints from Decades Gone By

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 09/11/2024 in wow

When the first McDonald's opened up at the end of the 1940s, it revolutionized fast food and the way people eat around the world.

But the early days of fast food weren't quite the greasy machine it is today. For better and for worse, things were different, and these 24 pics might give you some nostalgia for the way it used to be.

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1.
“My dad next to a KFC menu in China, 1992.”
2.
The McDonald brothers in front of the not yet opened first McDonald's, November 1948, San Bernadino, CA.
3.
Menu, c.1974.
4.
McDonald’s in the early 50s.
5.
The First Subway Store, 1965.
6.
Jenna Fischer while working in a fast food restaurant in the 80s.
7.
The first "McDonald's" restaurant in San Bernardino ca. 1948.
8.
My mom, Burger King Employee, circa 1976.
9.
Bill Clinton in a McDonald's in the 90s after jogging.
10.
16-year-old Wayne Gretzky has breakfast at McDonald’s on Jan. 15, 1978 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
11.
McDonald’s worker in 1980.
12.
Burger King In 1998.
13.
Wendy's Employees 1980.
14.
Dave Thomas, Wendy's founder, early 1970s.
15.
Russians wait in line outside the first McDonald's fast food restaurant in Moscow, 1991.
16.
Lines to visit the first McDonald's in Moscow, USSR. January 31, 1990.
17.
Still from a 1974 Burger King ad.
18.
Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth rocking out at McDonald’s, 1978.
19.
McDonald's menu during 1973.
20.
Jack In The Box drive thru in 1960.
21.
Woman eating a hot dog at a picnic table outside Casey's Caboose, a fast food restaurant in Montgomery, Alabama, June 1974.
22.
Peggy O'neill's fast-food restaurant, somewhere in Los Angeles County, 8/6/1958.
23.
Before McDonald's revolutionized fast food, car hops served food on rollerskates direct to the car. Florida 1967.
24.
"The Tracker," a fast food restaurant in LA California, 1949. Your order would be slid out to you on tracks.

1.
“My dad next to a KFC menu in China, 1992.”
2.
The McDonald brothers in front of the not yet opened first McDonald's, November 1948, San Bernadino, CA.
3.
Menu, c.1974.
4.
McDonald’s in the early 50s.
5.
The First Subway Store, 1965.
6.
Jenna Fischer while working in a fast food restaurant in the 80s.
7.
The first "McDonald's" restaurant in San Bernardino ca. 1948.
8.
My mom, Burger King Employee, circa 1976.
9.
Bill Clinton in a McDonald's in the 90s after jogging.
10.
16-year-old Wayne Gretzky has breakfast at McDonald’s on Jan. 15, 1978 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
11.
McDonald’s worker in 1980.
12.
Burger King In 1998.
13.
Wendy's Employees 1980.
14.
Dave Thomas, Wendy's founder, early 1970s.
15.
Russians wait in line outside the first McDonald's fast food restaurant in Moscow, 1991.
16.
Lines to visit the first McDonald's in Moscow, USSR. January 31, 1990.
17.
Still from a 1974 Burger King ad.
18.
Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth rocking out at McDonald’s, 1978.
19.
McDonald's menu during 1973.
20.
Jack In The Box drive thru in 1960.
21.
Woman eating a hot dog at a picnic table outside Casey's Caboose, a fast food restaurant in Montgomery, Alabama, June 1974.
22.
Peggy O'neill's fast-food restaurant, somewhere in Los Angeles County, 8/6/1958.
23.
Before McDonald's revolutionized fast food, car hops served food on rollerskates direct to the car. Florida 1967.
24.
"The Tracker," a fast food restaurant in LA California, 1949. Your order would be slid out to you on tracks.