America's fast food industry is a booming business, worth billions of dollars annually. It's fascinating to discover the humble beginnings of some of the giants in the industry. McDonald's, for example, started as a carhop drive-in in San Bernardino, California in 1940 before shifting its focus to burgers and french fries.

Pizza Hut got its name from the sign, using the word hut because it was short and could easily fit. The original building has since been relocated but Chicago architect George Lindstrom designed the iconic Pizza Hut buildings that we recognize today. Wendy's, known for its square hamburgers, was founded by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio in 1969.

The restaurant is named after Thomas' daughter, Melinda Lou Wendy Thomas. These are just a few examples of how these famous fast food chains got their start. It's intriguing to see where they began their journey and how they have grown into the massive franchises we know today