13 Beloved Southern Fast Food Chains

From Chick-fil-A to Krystal, these restaurant chains all started in the South.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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This article highlights 13 popular fast food chains that originated in the American South, including Chick-fil-A, Whataburger, Raising Cane's, Cook Out, Bojangles, Five Guys, Long John Silver's, Zaxby's, Popeyes, Hardee's, Captain D's, and Krystal. The article provides background on the history and signature menu items of each chain, showcasing the South's influence on the fast food industry.

Why it matters

The South has long been a hotbed of innovative and beloved fast food chains, with many of the most recognizable brands in the country getting their start below the Mason-Dixon line. These chains have not only become staples of Southern cuisine, but have also expanded nationwide, introducing the unique flavors and hospitality of the region to the rest of the country.

The details

The article covers 13 different fast food chains that originated in the South, from classic burger joints like Whataburger and Five Guys to fried chicken purveyors like Chick-fil-A and Zaxby's. It highlights the unique origin stories, signature menu items, and growth trajectories of each brand, showcasing how they've become ingrained in Southern culture and expanded their reach across the United States.

  • Chick-fil-A opened its first location in Hapeville, Georgia in 1967.
  • Whataburger was founded in the 1950s in Texas.
  • Raising Cane's opened its first location near Louisiana State University.
  • Cook Out was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1989.
  • Bojangles opened its first restaurant in 1977.
  • Five Guys was founded in the Washington, D.C. area in 1989.
  • Long John Silver's opened its first location in Lexington, Kentucky in 1969.
  • Zaxby's was founded in Statesboro, Georgia in 1990.
  • Popeyes opened its first restaurant in New Orleans in 1972.
  • Hardee's originated in Greenville, North Carolina in 1960.
  • Captain D's opened in Donelson, Tennessee in 1969.
  • Krystal was founded in 1932 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
  • KFC's founder, Harland Sanders, opened his first restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky in 1930.

The players

Chick-fil-A

An American fast food restaurant chain specializing in chicken sandwiches, with its roots firmly in the South, opening its first location in Hapeville, Georgia in 1967.

Whataburger

A Texas-based fast food restaurant chain known for its burgers, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits, and signature orange-and-white striped buildings, founded in the 1950s.

Raising Cane's

A fast food restaurant chain specializing in fresh, crispy chicken tenders, with a secret-recipe dipping sauce, founded near Louisiana State University.

Cook Out

A fast food restaurant chain that combines burgers and milkshakes, founded in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1989.

Bojangles

A fast food restaurant chain known for its made-from-scratch biscuits and fried chicken, founded in 1977.

Five Guys

A fast food burger chain that started as a family affair in the Washington, D.C. area in 1989, now with over 1,700 locations worldwide.

Long John Silver's

A fast food seafood chain that started in Lexington, Kentucky in 1969, known for its fried fish and chips.

Zaxby's

A fast food chicken chain founded in Statesboro, Georgia in 1990, serving Fingerz, Zalads, and their signature Zax Sauce.

Popeyes

A fast food fried chicken chain that opened its first location in New Orleans in 1972, known for its chicken and buttermilk biscuits.

Hardee's

A fast food chain known for its made-from-scratch biscuits, which originated in Greenville, North Carolina in 1960.

Captain D's

A fast food seafood chain that opened its first location in Donelson, Tennessee in 1969, serving fried shrimp, fish, and more.

Krystal

A fast food burger chain that started during the Great Depression in 1932 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, known for its small, steamed burgers.

Harland Sanders

The founder of KFC, who opened his first restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky in 1930 and became known for his secret 11 herbs and spices fried chicken recipe.

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The takeaway

The South's fast food heritage is deeply ingrained in the region's culinary identity, with many of the country's most beloved chains tracing their origins to cities and towns across the region. These restaurants have not only become staples of Southern cuisine, but have also helped spread the unique flavors and hospitality of the South to the rest of the nation.