Map Of American Fast Food Chains In Europe

Map created by reddit user PepperBluesThe map above shows which American fast food chains operate in which European countries. The UK and Spain (possibly because of British expats) are the two big outliers with all 9 chains operating there.

The chains are:

And in case you you haven’t experienced the chains above here’s a little more about them:

1. KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)

Founded: 1930 by Colonel Harland Sanders in North Corbin, Kentucky, USA.
Type of Food: Fried chicken, chicken sandwiches, chicken wings, sides (mashed potatoes, coleslaw).
Expansion into Europe: KFC entered the European market in the 1960s, opening its first outlet in Preston, England, in 1965. It has since expanded across Europe, with a strong presence in the UK, France, Germany, and Poland.

Global Locations: https://global.kfc.com/our-locations/

2. McDonald’s

Founded: 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, USA; the franchise model was popularized by Ray Kroc in 1955.
Type of Food: Burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, salads, breakfast items, coffee, and beverages.
Expansion into Europe: McDonald’s entered Europe in 1971, with its first restaurant opening in Zaandam, Netherlands. It has expanded significantly and now operates in most European countries, with a strong foothold in the UK, Germany, France, and Italy.

Locations: https://corporate.mcdonalds.com/corpmcd/our-company/where-we-operate.html

3. Subway

Founded: 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.
Type of Food: Sandwiches (subs), salads, wraps, and beverages.
Expansion into Europe: Subway opened its first European location in Brighton, UK, in 1996. The chain has expanded across Europe, including countries like Germany, France, and Spain, although it has faced tough competition from other sandwich and fast-food chains in some markets.

Locations: https://restaurants.subway.com/

4. Burger King

Founded: 1953 (as Insta-Burger King) by Keith J. Kramer and Matthew Burns in Jacksonville, Florida, USA; renamed Burger King in 1954 by David Edgerton and James McLamore.
Type of Food: Burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, breakfast items, and beverages.
Expansion into Europe: Burger King first entered Europe in Madrid, Spain, in 1975. Since then, it has grown significantly across the continent, with a notable presence in the UK, Germany, and Spain, where it competes closely with McDonald’s.

Locations: https://origin.bk.com/international

5. Domino’s Pizza

Founded: 1960 by Tom Monaghan and James Monaghan in Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA.
Type of Food: Pizza, pasta, chicken, sandwiches, and desserts.
Expansion into Europe: Domino’s entered Europe in 1985, with its first store opening in Luton, UK. The UK remains one of Domino’s largest markets outside the US. It has since expanded to countries like Ireland, France, and Germany.

Locations: https://biz.dominos.com/about-us/around-the-world/

6. Starbucks

Founded: 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker in Seattle, Washington, USA.
Type of Food: Coffee, tea, pastries, snacks, and light sandwiches.
Expansion into Europe: Starbucks entered Europe in 1998, opening its first store in London, UK. The company has since expanded across the continent, with notable operations in France, Germany, and Italy.

Locations: https://weproudlyservestarbucks.com/gb/countries

7. Pizza Hut

Founded: 1958 by Dan and Frank Carney in Wichita, Kansas, USA.
Type of Food: Pizza, pasta, wings, and sides.
Expansion into Europe: Pizza Hut first opened in London, UK, in 1973 and has since expanded across Europe. It has a significant presence in the UK, Germany, France, and Eastern European countries, although some regions have seen closures due to local competition.

Locations: https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/company/our-brands/pizza-hut

8. Taco Bell

Founded: 1962 by Glen Bell in Downey, California, USA.
Type of Food: Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and other Mexican-inspired foods.
Expansion into Europe: Taco Bell entered Europe much later than other American fast food chains. The first location opened in London, UK, in 1986, but it closed shortly afterward. Taco Bell relaunched in Europe in the 2010s, starting in Spain in 2008, where it has had the most success, followed by the UK and other countries like the Netherlands and Finland.

Locations: https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/company/our-brands/taco-bell

9. Dunkin’ (Dunkin’ Donuts)

Founded: 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA.
Type of Food: Coffee, donuts, bagels, sandwiches, and other breakfast items.
Expansion into Europe: Dunkin’ entered Europe in 1979 with a store in Spain. The brand has expanded to various European countries, including Germany, Sweden, and the UK, but has struggled to establish itself as strongly as in the US.

Locations: https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en/about/about-us (Ironically doesn’t work in Europe)