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30 Iconic Fast Food Trivia Questions and Answers

Reviewed by Stefanie, Author·Updated Oct 2025·4 min read

Super-size your knowledge with Fast Food Trivia! From the first McDonald’s restaurant and secret menu items to iconic slogans and record-breaking menu launches, these questions will test how much you really know about your favorite quick bites. Perfect for foodies, trivia fans, and anyone who’s ever made a late-night drive-thru run, this trivia celebrates the fun and flavor of fast food culture.

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  1. 1Which global chicken chain is famous for a secret “11 herbs & spices” Original Recipe perfected in 1939?

  2. 2In what year did McDonald’s add the Big Mac to the national U.S. menu after Pittsburgh franchisee Jim Delligatti created it?

  3. 3Which chain introduced a two-way speaker box in 1948, enabling California’s first true drive-thru hamburger stand?

  4. 4What was Subway originally called when Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck opened their first shop in 1965?

  5. 5Who founded Taco Bell, and when did the first restaurant open?

  6. 6Which burger debuted in 1957 and became Burger King’s signature sandwich?

  7. 7Which menu item—created by franchisee Lou Groen to serve Catholic customers—was the first added to McDonald’s national menu in 1965?

  8. 8Where and when did the Happy Meal first launch?

  9. 9Which nation celebrates a well-known Christmas tradition of eating KFC, popularized by a 1970s campaign?

  10. 10What fast-food brand delivered pizza to space (the ISS) in 2001?

  11. 11What is widely recognized as America’s first fast-food hamburger chain, founded in 1921?

  12. 12What does the “Arby’s” name actually reference?

  13. 13Popeyes is named after which pop-culture character?

  14. 14Which chain is closely associated with fries cooked in 100% refined peanut oil?

  15. 15Which brand coined the “Pick-Up Window” and is credited with introducing the first modern drive-thru in November 1970?

  16. 16In which country and year was the McFlurry invented?

  17. 17Which coffee chain officially shortened its brand name in 2019—and to what?

  18. 18Which Filipino giant took a majority stake in Smashburger in 2018 as part of a global expansion?

  19. 19Which U.S. bakery-café brand traces to Saint Louis Bread Company and Au Bon Pain and later unified under a new name?

  20. 20Which South African-born chain began in 1987 and built a global following around PERi-PERi chicken?

  21. 21Which modern “better burger” brand began as a 2001 hot-dog cart and opened a park kiosk in 2004?

  22. 22Which Canadian brand founded by a pro hockey legend opened its first shop in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1964?

  23. 23Which chain popularized the Whopper’s customizability with the long-running “Have It Your Way” ethos (originating in the 1970s)?

  24. 24Which company’s founder pioneered a mall-food-court strategy with its first mall location in 1967?

  25. 25What pizza chain famously guaranteed delivery in 30 minutes or less or gave the pizza free, and in what year was that policy effectively ended?

  26. 26Which pizza chain introduced the “Hot N Ready” carry out concept, and in what year was that concept launched?

  27. 27Which U.S. fast food root beer and burger chain began as a roadside root beer stand in 1919 before evolving into a full restaurant chain?

  28. 28What year did Little Caesars first franchise, expanding beyond its founding store?

  29. 29In what year did Domino’s first open an international location, and in which city?

  30. 30The now-iconic Blizzard dessert by Dairy Queen was first introduced in what year?

Answer Key

  1. 1. KFC.The company’s official history says Colonel Harland Sanders finalized his blend of “11 herbs and spices” in 1939 and still guards it as a trade secret today.
  2. 2. 1968.McDonald’s corporate history confirms the Big Mac—created by owner/operator Jim Delligatti in 1967—went national in 1968.
  3. 3. In-N-Out Burger.The company’s history and media kit credit founder Harry Snyder with launching the two-way speaker in 1948 to create a true drive-thru experience.
  4. 4. “Pete’s Super Submarines.”Subway’s official history states the Bridgeport, Connecticut shop opened under that name and sold 312 sandwiches on day one.
  5. 5. Glen Bell, in 1962 (Downey, CA).Taco Bell’s official history and newsroom materials document the 1962 opening and Bell’s role.
  6. 6. The Whopper.Burger King’s brand newsroom reflects the Whopper’s 1957 origin and enduring status.
  7. 7. Filet-O-Fish.McDonald’s corporate history confirms the Filet-O-Fish was created by Groen and added nationwide in 1965.
  8. 8. United States, 1979.McDonald’s history notes the Happy Meal’s U.S. launch in 1979 following early experiments that led to the kid-focused boxed meal.
  9. 9. Japan.A BBC feature traces how a 1974 “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign helped make KFC a national holiday tradition.
  10. 10. Pizza Hut.Press and historical accounts document Pizza Hut’s 2001 delivery to the International Space Station—the first pizza in space.
  11. 11. White Castle.White Castle’s official history and press materials describe the 1921 founding in Wichita and status as America’s first fast-food hamburger chain.
  12. 12. The Raffel Brothers (“R.B.”), the founders—not “roast beef.”Arby’s official social channels clarify that “RB” stands for Raffel Brothers, the company’s co-founders.
  13. 13. “Popeye” Doyle—the detective from The French Connection, not the cartoon sailor.Popeyes’ own history page explains founder Al Copeland renamed the restaurant after Gene Hackman’s character.
  14. 14. Five Guys.Company materials repeatedly note that its “boardwalk-style fries” are cooked in 100% refined peanut oil.
  15. 15. Wendy’s.Wendy’s corporate history identifies the first modern drive-thru—called the “Pick-Up Window”—in 1970.
  16. 16. Canada, 1995 (Bathurst, New Brunswick).McDonald’s Canada documents the McFlurry’s invention by franchisee Ron McLellan in Bathurst in 1995.
  17. 17. Dunkin’ Donuts shortened to “Dunkin’.”Dunkin’s 2018 press release announced the rebrand, rolling out from January 2019.
  18. 18. Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC).PR Newswire and industry outlets report JFC’s $100M purchase to reach 85% ownership in Smashburger.
  19. 19. Panera Bread.Company filings and press materials show Au Bon Pain Co. acquired Saint Louis Bread Co. (1993) and later became Panera Bread Company (1998/1999).
  20. 20. Nando’s.Nando’s brand story places its first restaurant in 1987 (Rosettenville, Johannesburg) and centers on PERi-PERi.
  21. 21. Shake Shack.Company communications recount the 2001 Madison Square Park cart leading to the 2004 kiosk and, later, the chain.
  22. 22. Tim Hortons.The brand’s site and newsroom mark the first restaurant opening on May 17, 1964, in Hamilton, Ontario.
  23. 23. Burger King.BK’s branding/history materials and industry accounts tie the signature customization message to the 1970s-era “Have It Your Way.”
  24. 24. Chick-fil-A.Chick-fil-A’s official history notes its first mall restaurant opening in 1967, a model that shaped U.S. mall dining.
  25. 25. Domino’s, 1993.Domino’s introduced the “30 minutes or it’s free” guarantee around 1979, but ended it in 1993 after a court case linked the policy to unsafe driving by delivery staff. Los Angeles Times, 1993
  26. 26. Little Caesars, 2004.Little Caesars launched the Hot N Ready concept nationwide in 2004, allowing customers to buy pizzas instantly without ordering ahead. PMQ Pizza Media, 2024
  27. 27. A & W.Roy W. Allen opened a root beer stand in Lodi, California in 1919, later partnering with Frank Wright to form A & W, one of the first U.S. franchise restaurant chains. A&W Restaurants History
  28. 28. 1962.Little Caesars opened its first franchise location in Warren, Michigan in 1962, marking the start of its national and later international expansion. Buy Michigan Now
  29. 29. 1983, Winnipeg Canada.Domino’s Pizza opened its first international location in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in 1983, starting its rapid global growth. Domino’s Corporate History
  30. 30. 1985.Dairy Queen introduced the Blizzard in 1985, featuring soft serve blended with candies or cookies; more than 175 million were sold that year alone. Dairy Queen History

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