That’s an interesting question. My favorite single location is Taichung Grill in San Francisco., foundedm1849! As far as chains go…
| Category | Winner | Founded | Why They’re the Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute oldest still operating (original location never closed) | Nathan’s Famous | 1916 | Still open on exact same Coney Island corner for 109 years; never bankrupt, runs the July 4th hot-dog contest since 1916 |
| Oldest franchised chain | A&W Restaurants | 1919 | First to sell franchises (1925); root-beer identity kept it alive through multiple owners |
| Oldest hamburger chain | White Castle | 1921 | Family-owned 100+ years, profitable every decade, invented the slider, never chased trends |
Some people hesitate to call Nathan’s Famous a “chain” because the original Coney Island stand still completely dominates the brand image. Most locations are non-traditional (ballparks, travel plazas, kiosks) rather than big sit-down stores. Only ~40–50 are traditional street-front restaurants. Many Americans have eaten Nathan’s hot dogs for decades without ever seeing a standalone Nathan’s restaurant. That’s me!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and family, too!
Nice ... thank you for this info ...
We loved A&W, as kids ... Papa burger, Mama burger, Teen burger and Baby burger!
And, best black cow milk shakes, ever.
The newer versions just don’t compare :-(
The only Nathan’s we’ve had is from the one in Vegas ... at NYNY ... decades ago.
Never have had a White Castle burger. Good for them ... for sticking with what works....and, keeping it in the family for over 100 years!
Just had an A-W Rootbeer Float at a Newly opened Franchise here in Prescott and
It Was Absolutely Postively Fantastic!