Fast Food Fails
If you’re a fan of American fast food and you’ve wondered how the rest of the world feels, then this is the list for you. From that time Taco Bell failed in Mexico to how much Texas loves Whataburger, it's clear to see that fast food means a lot to everyone.
1. Taco Bell
Throughout this list, you’re going to see a trend with chains opening up in the countries that inspire their cuisine and failing. For instance, Taco Bell tried to open in Mexico only to find that Mexicans preferred the authentic version of the dishes and not the confusing Tex-Mex blend offered by the chain.
2. Dunkin Donuts
Dunkin Donuts decided to share its products with the billions of people calling India its home, only to realize there wasn’t any interest. While the Indian culture adored sweets, they preferred chai over coffee and already had their own desserts that they adored.
3. Chick-Fil-A
Chick-Fil-A certainly has delicious chicken up on offer. So with their quality in mind, it's surprising that South Africa wouldn’t like them. In reality, there was a huge demand for their product, but because of distribution issues and complex geography, the chain decided against it because it would be too difficult.
4. Dominos
Introducing pizzas to Italy was probably a bad bet to begin with. But that didn’t stop Domino’s from projecting 880 locations throughout Italy. But after opening its first shop in Milan, the pizza chain found that Italians, unsurprisingly, didn’t care for Domino’s.
5. Burger King
There was a time where Burger King decided to spread to Vietnam and open outlets in 2014. Turned out the Vietnamese people just weren’t feeling the flavors and had different expectations of a dining experience, so that didn’t last very long.
6. Starbucks
Market research is so crucial when it comes to opening up restaurants, but Starbucks certainly failed to do theirs when it came to opening up in Israel. It turned out Tel Aviv had a totally different coffee culture and preferred authentic roasters where they could sit and relax for a long while, causing the closure of all Tel Aviv locations by 2003.
7. Subway
Subway’s sandwiches are pretty adored in the United States, but that wasn’t what happened when they tried opening in Japan. Despite creating tailored sandwiches like the spicy shrimp sub, it turned out the Japanese people couldn’t get past the slow service and steep prices.
8. Wendy’s
Wendy’s had a different and unique reason for failing to spread throughout the European Union. It turns out there’s already a Wendy’s there, one that’s actually a fish and chip shop in the Netherlands. Because of this trademark dispute, Wendy’s hasn’t been able to open locations in the EU.
9. KFC
KFC is practically everywhere, but Norway is one of the few countries that refused the chain. This is because of the cost of chickens. As it’s not part of the EU, the country has different economic conditions making it very expensive to import the number of chickens KFC needs for daily operations.
10. McDonald's
Sometimes it’s the locals that don’t want the chain, but sometimes it’s the other way around. McDonald’s first opened up in Russia in 1990, but in March 2022, the franchise closed its doors after Russia invaded Ukraine. After two months, McDonald’s completely left the country and sold their restaurants to a Siberian franchise owner.
Now that we have talked about chains that failed abroad, here are 10 All-American brands the locals at the very least love.
1. In-N-Out Burger
It’s clear to see that In-N-Out has quite a cult following after being founded in California. While the menu is simple, their animal style fries and ultra-fresh ingredients really make them stand out from lackluster burger chains.
2. Sonic Drive-In
Whether you love it or hate it, it’s clear to see that Sonic has a nostalgic value that other places lack. Besides, you can have delectable items from chili cheese coneys to tater tots and, of course, a slush or two.
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3. Culver’s
Culver’s got its start in Wisconsin and is all about Midwestern comfort food. Their menu includes delicious offerings like butterburgers and frozen custards, and not to mention their very popular cheese curds.
4. Whataburger
You can probably guess what this chain has to offer. After being founded in Texas, Whataburger offers customizable sandwiches, breakfast items, and of course shakes. The portions are practically huge, and there’s a bit of Texas pride to it all too.
5. Waffle House
If you’re into waffles at any hour, then these 24/7 locations offer breakfast on demand. Their best items include the pecan waffles, and it has that old-school diner charm that makes it an icon in the South.
6. Portillo’s
This chain started out as a simple hot dog stand offering Chicago-style fast food. Now they’re all over Chicago and offer authentic flavors and hearty portions. Plus, their long-standing in the community has made them quite nostalgic for Midwestern diners.
7. Sizzler
Founded in 1958 in California, Sizzler is all about offering affordable steaks. It’s a perfect date night spot, with their popular items being the Malibu chicken and steak combos. Getting delicious homey meals at family-friendly prices is what makes them all the rage.
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8. Jack in the Box
Getting their start in California, Jack in the Box offers everything from tacos, burgers, to breakfast. Despite having a quirky menu, their weird-but-delicious fusion items and late-night availability make them a favorite.
9. Bojangles
Bojangles was founded in 1977 in North Carolina and is all about offering Southern-style fried chicken and other Southern delights. Some of their most popular items include their Cajun chicken biscuit and sweet tea, and they stay quite true to the Southern flavors they’re inspired from.
10. Raising Cane’s
Aside from their super famous Cane’s sauce, Raising Cane’s is known for their fast and friendly service, and super-focused menu. You’ll mostly find chicken fingers with sides ranging from fries, toast, to coleslaw, all done up with Louisiana flair.
