Fatburger

Lovie Yancey opened a small burger stand in Los Angeles in 1947, originally called Mr. Fatburger, and dropped the “Mr.” in 1952. In an era when almost every burger business was run by men, she built one of the most famous burger names in the city, and she kept cooking to order long after fast food had become about speed.

Fatburger became part of Los Angeles culture, especially Black Los Angeles, and hip-hop made it famous everywhere: Ice Cube and The Notorious B.I.G. both name-checked it in the 1990s, and a string of celebrities became investors and franchisees. The tagline says it plainly: The Last Great Hamburger Stand. Its parent company went through bankruptcy in 2026 and the chain was sold, but the burgers stayed the same.

Around 180 locations in about 20 countries.

• Checkers & Rally's (United States, since 1986). Two names, one menu, double drive-thrus and fries everyone argues about. Also built on beef, bacon, cheese and a double stack.
• Au Cheval (United States, since 2012). The Chicago diner whose stacked double cheeseburger is routinely called the best in America. Also built on beef, bacon, egg and cheese.
• Red Robin (United States, since 1969). The sit-down burger chain with bottomless fries and a burger topped with a fried egg. Also built on beef, bacon, egg and cheese.
• Hardee's (United States, since 1960). Biscuits in the morning, Thickburgers the rest of the day. Also built on beef, bacon, cheese and a double stack.