Food and Drink Digital:
The 1950s in America was a very booming era for fast food franchises. Three major fast food businesses that demonstrate much
success today began in the early 1950s with very ambitious business leaders at the helm of each franchise. This month Food and Drink Digital explores the inception of Taco Bell, McDonald’s and Burger King to see how each take-out business took-off.
TACO BELL
Glen Bell opened a hot dog stand in San Bernardino, California in 1946. Only 23 years old at the time, Bell decided to open his own business after holding jobs for a local gas company and a railroad system. Bell sold a gas refrigerator he bought at a discount from the gas company for $400 and used the money to acquire a lease for the food stand site and building materials. With all that in place, Bell opened “Bell’s Drive In” later that year.For a while Bell’s business remained a one-person operation and only served take-out. His first day of business brought in $20 over a 16-hour period. Continue reading this post.