McDonald’s might get all the credit, but it’s far from the only fast food superstar with California roots. The state has been cranking out legendary drive-thru spots long before TikTok told you what to order. Some of the biggest names in greasy greatness quietly got their start on the West Coast and still hold strong today. If you’ve ever crushed a burger in your car or dipped fries in a milkshake, odds are one of these places had something to do with it. These chains that started in California didn’t just show up—they took over.
Jamba Juice
Born in 1990 on a college campus in San Luis Obispo, Jamba Juice knew what tired students needed—fruit, fast. With over 800 spots around the globe, you can still grab a smoothie that doesn’t feel like a sugar bomb. Perfect example of how some of the most laid-back chains got their start in California.
California Pizza Kitchen
Two lawyers opened the first CPK in Beverly Hills in 1985 because pizza needed better PR. They weren’t wrong—now you’ll find over 250 locations around the world serving pizzas with BBQ chicken or Thai flavors. A solid pick when you want a slice and some bragging rights about where it came from.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
It started in 1963 as a tiny café in Los Angeles serving beans brought back from Europe. Now it’s pouring drinks in more than 1,100 cafes across 25+ countries. Classic move from a chain that grew out of California’s obsession with doing coffee their own way.
Baskin-Robbins
Since 1945, this ice cream chain has been scooping out 31 flavors and then some. It started in California and now has nearly 7,000 shops globally. That kind of reach proves it belongs on any list of chains that didn’t stay local for long.
Hot Dog on a Stick
This beach boardwalk icon got its start in 1946 in Santa Monica, and yes, it’s still rocking the striped uniforms. With more than 50 locations in the U.S. and a few abroad, it’s proof that corndogs can go global. One of those chains that kept its California vibe even as it expanded.
Del Taco
Opened in 1964, this chain blended burgers and tacos before it was trendy. It grew out of California and now has over 550 locations across the western U.S. When you’re looking for a mash-up menu with SoCal roots, this is the spot.
The Habit Burger
The first Habit Burger flipped its patties in 1969 in Santa Barbara. Since then, it’s grown to over 300 locations, spreading across 14 states and internationally. It’s one of those chains that proves burgers and beach towns are a winning combo.
Fatburger
Lovie Yancey opened the first Fatburger in 1952 and didn’t mess around with small portions. The chain didn’t franchise until the ’90s, but now it’s in 20+ countries with over 200 restaurants. It’s got deep California roots and zero interest in going light on the patties.
Panda Express
Andrew Cherng opened the first Panda Express in a mall in Glendale in 1983. Today, it’s the biggest Chinese-American fast food chain, with thousands of locations worldwide. One of the most successful examples of chains that started in California and ended up everywhere.
Carl’s Jr.
Carl Karcher started selling hot dogs from a cart in 1941, and it snowballed into Carl’s Jr. The brand now serves burgers in more than 1,000 U.S. locations and across 28 countries. That’s serious growth for something that began on a California street corner.
Jack in the Box
This chain launched in 1951 in San Diego with a drive-thru speaker and a clown head on top. Now there are more than 2,200 locations across the U.S. Not every burger spot can claim that kind of weird and successful start in California.
Taco Bell
Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell in Downey in 1962, aiming to bring Mexican-style food to fast food. Now it’s pushing 7,000 locations and two billion customers a year. It’s one of those chains where the California launch feels obvious the second you see the menu.
In-N-Out Burger
In 1948, In-N-Out launched the state’s first drive-thru in Baldwin Park. It’s still family-owned and has a loyal following, even though it only operates in a handful of states. No list of California-born chains feels right without this one.
Peet’s Coffee
Founded in 1966 in Berkeley, Peet’s focused on strong, small-batch coffee before it was a trend. Now it has 440+ stores, mostly in the U.S., and keeps its reputation for top-shelf beans. It’s one of those chains that stayed cool while going big.
El Pollo Loco
This flame-grilled chicken chain opened its first U.S. spot in Los Angeles in 1980. It’s now at nearly 500 locations across several states. Not bad for a brand that came across the border and stayed rooted in Southern California.
