1

McDonald’s

Image: Jurij Kenda

We’ll start with probably the most popular fast-food brand in the world. Few logos are as intently recognizable as McDonald’s "golden arches", to the point that they are present in virtually every single country in the world. But before it became an international behemoth, this fast-food chain began as a single restaurant in San Bernardino, California, founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald.

We could probably fill this entire article with McDonald’s fun facts, like how an astronaut smuggled a cheeseburger onboard a space shuttle. However, we’ll end this entry with the fabled Big Mac index: Since, as we previously mentioned, McDonald’s restaurants are virtually everywhere, economists have used the price of a Big Mac burger as a global indicator of each country's economic strength.

2

Burger King

Image: Alexis AMZ DA CRUZ

While Burger King is often and unfairly considered to be playing second-fiddle to McDonald’s, the truth is that this chain is definitively fast-food royalty. First founded as Insta-Burger King in 1953, this restaurant offers a selection of burgers, fries, and other delectable products.

Burger King is perhaps most well-known for its signature burger, the " Whopper ". Created in 1957, this iconic product was the very first of its kind, causing competing franchises to develop their very own signature burgers. The Whopper’s legacy resulted in Burger King proudly adopting the nickname "Home of the Whopper".

3

Taco Bell

Image: Ömer Haktan Bulut

You might be surprised to learn that Taco Bell , synonymous with one of Mexico’s most treasured culinary delicacies, was actually founded in America. Not only that: Did you know that the Bell in Taco Bell’s name comes from the founder’s last name?

When Glen Bell started his company in 1953, he didn’t know that this little taco stand would eventually grow into a massive chain serving over two billion satisfied customers each year. Taco Bell is known for a myriad of delicious meals, including its iconic "Crunchwrap Supreme".

4

Domino’s

Image: Miroslav Denkov

In 1960, brothers Tom and James Monaghan bought a small pizza chain close to Eastern Michigan University called "DomiNick’s". Little did the brothers know that they would turn this $1400 investment into one of the biggest pizza chains in the world , with approximately 15,000 locations all around the world.

Known for its 30-minute guarantee, Domino’s offers delicious and affordable pizza delivered with pinpoint accuracy. Over 60 years have passed since its founding, but this pizza chain remains a beloved American icon.

5

Wendy’s

Image: Batu Gezer

Who said that hamburgers need to be round? Wendy’s is a living testament that burgers will always be delicious, no matter what shape they are in. This iconic chain’s burgers are particularly famous for their two main characteristics: Their legendary square shape and the fact that their meat is always fresh and never frozen.

You might be curious as to who the titular Wendy featured in every restaurant is. Well, the restaurant’s founder Dave Thomas named it after his fourth daughter, Melinda Lou, who was known as "Wendy" from an early age. Not only that, Melinda’s likeness was used as the company’s logo, and she continues to serve as its official mascot.

6

KFC

Image: Aleks Dorohovich

Just like Dave Thomas modeling his company’s logo after his daughter, KFC chose to honor its founder by making him an instantly recognizable icon. After all, this iconic fast-food chain’s history starts with Colonel Harland Sanders’ will and determination to drive his family out of their humble beginnings.

In the 1930s, Sanders took the cooking skills he learned from his mother as a child and founded a small restaurant called "Sanders Court & Café". By the 1950s, he saw the potential that franchising provided and opened the very first "Kentucky Fried Chicken" in Salt Lake City. Nowadays, KFC operates thousands of locations all over the world, all of which serve the Coronel’s legendary chicken seasoned with his "11 herbs and spices".

7

Starbucks

Image: Athar Khan

We’ve been dealing with burgers and fried chicken for a while now, so how about a nice cup of Joe instead? While we were hesitant to add Starbucks to the realm of fast food, the truth is that this international company has grown into the world’s largest coffeehouse chain , all the while optimizing the process of delivering a hot and delicious cup of coffee to the hands of the consumer.

Founded in Seattle in 1971, Starbucks was named after a character from Herman Melville’s classic novel "Moby-Dick": In that sense, the twin-tailed mermaid that serves as their iconic logo was also inspired by Melville’s masterpiece. Starbucks is world-famous for its innovative drinks, including the revolutionary cold coffee brew known as the "Frappucino".

8

Subway

Image: Ola Mishchenko

If you are looking for a healthy yet equally accessible fast-food restaurant, then Subway is the place for you. This company was first founded in 1965 by friends Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck, hoping to save enough money to pay for medical school tuition. By the start of the new millennium, Subway became one of the world’s most profitable franchises, as well as one of the fastest growing.

Known for their world-famous slogan "Eat Fresh", Subway’s main appeal is the fact that you can select which ingredients you want in your sandwich. While products like the "B.M.T." or the "Italian Hero" keep their distinctive identity, being able to add your favorite flavors onto your sandwich truly provides a tailor-made customer experience.

9

White Castle

Image: Valeria Boltneva

While it might seem smaller compared to other international juggernauts in this list, White Castle holds the remarkable distinction of being the world’s very first fast-food hamburger chain . Just like many other restaurants, the humble beginnings of White Castle started in 1916 when a cook named Walt Anderson opened his first diner in a converted streetcar. Five years after that, Anderson partnered with Billy Ingram to found the very first White Castle restaurant in Wichita, Kansas.

Over a hundred years after this first location, White Castle is still a beloved destination for all burger lovers. Their most famous product is probably their iconic "sliders", complete with square patties and steamed onions.

10

Pizza Hut

Image: Alan Hardman

We’ll end with another pizza institution. Founded in 1958 by two Wichita State students, Pizza Hut locations are instantly recognizable by their distinctive architecture, which features a red rooftop resembling a hut. Moreover, while their pizza is certainly delicious, Pizza Hut holds the distinction of owning one of the most groundbreaking achievements in pizza delivery history.

While Domino’s prides itself on its 30-minute delivery policy, Pizza Hut holds the record of the very first outer-space delivery in history. In 2001, the company designed a vacuum-sealed pizza suitable to be delivered to the International Space Station. This interplanetary pie literally reached the stars, where it was happily enjoyed by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachov.

1

The $2 bill is real and still legal

Image: Alicia Razuri

Yep, that mysterious $2 bill featuring Thomas Jefferson isn’t a collector’s fantasy. It’s still produced today (though rarely), and the reverse shows the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. People tend to save them, thinking they’re rare, but you can spend them just like any other bill.

2

The penny used to be made of pure copper

Image: Adam Nir

During WWII, copper was needed for ammo, so in 1943, pennies were made from steel and coated in zinc. They looked silver and rusted easily, some even stuck to magnets! Today, most pennies are actually 97.5% zinc with just a thin copper coating.

3

George Washington didn’t appear on the first $1 bill.

Image: Jonathan Borba

The very first $1 bill (from 1862) featured Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury at the time. Washington didn't show up until 1869, and Chase had a not-so-humble role in placing his own face there.

4

There’s a tiny owl hidden on the $1 bill

Image: rc.xyz NFT gallery

Take a magnifying glass to the upper-right corner of the "1" on a dollar bill. Some people swear there’s a tiny owl or spider hidden in the pattern, said to symbolize wisdom or surveillance. Officially, it's just part of the ornate design, but still a fun little mystery!

5

The $100,000 bill actually existed

Image: Dmytro Glazunov

No, you can’t use it at Target. Printed in 1934 and featuring Woodrow Wilson, this gold certificate was used only for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks. It was never meant for public use, and owning one today is illegal!

6

Lincoln faces the other way for a reason

Image: JustStartInvesting

On most bills, presidents face to the right. But on the penny, Lincoln faces left. One theory is that the designer used a portrait that happened to face left, but it also makes Lincoln the only president looking "inward" when coins are lined up in value order.

7

"In God We Trust" wasn’t always on our money

Image: Jonathan Borba

That phrase didn’t become mandatory on U.S. currency until 1955 during the Cold War. It first appeared on coins in 1864, but the push to include it everywhere came as a nod to America’s spiritual identity in contrast to atheistic communism.

8

Coins last way longer than bills

Image: Barry A

Your average dollar bill survives about 6.6 years in circulation. Coins? They can keep going for 30 years or more! That’s why coins are still a budget-friendly way for the government to make money — and we mean that literally!

9

The buildings on the back aren’t random

Image: Ryan Quintal

Each bill’s reverse side typically features a building related to the person on the front. For instance, the Lincoln Memorial is on the back of the $5 bill (with Lincoln on the front), and the White House appears behind Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. The choice of course had to do with government history itself! Which building do you think is missing?

10

There are secret codes on every bill

Image: Andrew Dawes

Look closely and you’ll spot tiny letters and numbers that identify which printing plate was used and where the bill was made. Ever see a tiny "F6" on a $1? That means it was printed in Atlanta, Georgia.

11

A dollar is technically made of cloth

Image: Live Richer

Despite calling it "paper money," U.S. bills are actually made of 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why they feel so distinct, and don’t shred like regular paper when they get wet (though they still don’t love laundry day).

1

Alabama’s love for college football

In Alabama, college football is practically a shared language . That’s because every Saturday revolves around kickoff times, tailgates, and lifelong loyalties. The University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide team leads the way, holding more national championships than any other college team. Impressive, huh?

2

Maryland’s talent for creating millionaires

Wanna become a millionaire? Living in Maryland might help you. With a strong mix of government jobs, technology, and healthcare careers, the state boasts the highest concentration of millionaire households in the country. In some communities, having a seven-figure net worth is less rare than you might expect, making Maryland a surprising hotspot for financial success.

3

Nevada’s rocky playground for climbers

Nevada is often associated with deserts and bright lights, but it’s the mountains that steal the show for outdoor lovers. With more than 300 named mountain ranges , the state offers endless climbing opportunities. From the red sandstone cliffs near Las Vegas to Boundary Peak near the California line, climbers come from all over to test their skills on Nevada’s rugged terrain.

4

Rhode Island’s devotion to donuts

Rhode Island may be small, but it takes donuts very seriously. The state has more donut shops per person than anywhere else in the country. Local bakeries are a point of pride, often family-run and fiercely loved.

5

Louisiana’s lively dating scene

This state stands out for having a large population of unmarried adults , which gives the social scene a lively energy. Between music festivals, neighborhood gatherings, and spontaneous conversations with strangers, meeting new people feels natural here. It is a state where social connections come easily, and nobody seems to stay a stranger for long.

6

Delaware’s small-town comfort

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Delaware is the kind of place where life moves at a neighborly pace. With only three counties and no large cities , the state offers a true small-town feel. People recognize each other at the grocery store, and local events still draw a crowd. Simple, but highly familiar!

7

Hawaii’s picture-perfect beaches

This one is rather obvious, but Hawaii sets the gold standard for beaches. With miles of swimmable shoreline and crystal-clear water, the islands offer something for everyone. Kapalua Bay on Maui is often ranked the best beach in America, thanks to its calm waters and postcard views. Add warm breezes and soft sand, and it is easy to see why Hawaii leads the pack, right?

8

California’s unmatched diversity

America in general is quite diverse, but California is a living mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions. No single group makes up the majority, which gives the state a unique richness. This blend of backgrounds has helped California become one of the most dynamic and influential places in the country.

9

West Virginia’s pizza obsession

Yet another state obsessed with food! West Virginia quietly leads the nation in pizza shops per capita. Local pizzerias are part of the community life, often serving as gathering spots for families and friends. Are you after the best pizza? You’ll surely find it here!

10

Arizona’s endless sunshine

This is not the Sunshine State, but it might as well be. The sun is almost always up here, and Yuma, in the state’s southwest corner, enjoys sunny skies about 90 percent of the year . That kind of consistency makes outdoor living a way of life. Morning walks, afternoon patios, and golden sunsets are part of the daily routine rather than special occasions.

11

Tennessee’s lightning-fast internet

If Wi-Fi is what you’re after, visit Tennessee. The state surprises many people with its blazing-fast internet speeds. Thanks to early investments in fiber networks , some cities enjoy connections far faster than the national average. It is a modern advantage that supports businesses, students, and everyone, really!