National Fast Food Day, celebrated on November 16, recognizes the popularity and convenience of fast food in modern culture. The fast food industry began in the early 20th century with the rise of restaurants offering quick service, with White Castle often credited as the first fast food chain in the U.S., starting in 1921. Today, fast food is a global phenomenon, with well-known chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Subway found in almost every country.
Fast food is known for its quick preparation and affordable prices, making it a convenient choice for people on the go. Menus often feature items like burgers, fries, sandwiches, pizzas, and a variety of beverages — many of which have their own dedicated national days and months. Check out our National Food Calendar to see all food holidays in one place.
On National Fast Food Day, many people enjoy visiting their favorite fast food spots or exploring new ones. It’s also a chance to learn about the impact of fast food on diet, lifestyle, and culture, making it a day for both enjoyment and reflection.
If you’re interested in fast food, also check out these days:
We’ve also put together lists of national food days, ice cream days, and pizza days to make it easy for you to find fun days to celebrate.
Looking for meal inspiration? Joshua Weissman (see video below) has tried all the viral fast food items across America, so you’ll definitely want to check out his thoughts on the best picks and what’s worth a try!
When is National Fast Food Day?
National Fast Food Day falls on November 16th each year, making it a fun way to break up the autumn season with a treat. If you want to mark your calendar for future National Fast Food Day celebrations, here are the upcoming dates for this celebration:
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | November 16, Saturday |
| 2025 | November 16, Sunday |
| 2026 | November 16, Monday |
| 2027 | November 16, Tuesday |
| 2028 | November 16, Thursday |
| 2029 | November 16, Friday |
| 2030 | November 16, Saturday |
Fast Food Facts That Might Surprise You
Fast food might seem straightforward, but there’s a lot more behind the scenes than you might think! Here are some fascinating facts to enhance your celebration of National Fast Food Day:
- The first McDonald’s didn’t serve burgers: When McDonald’s first opened in 1940, it was a barbecue restaurant. It wasn’t until the late 1940s that they switched to their famous speedy service model, focusing on burgers and fries.
- Subway reigns as the largest fast food chain: Although McDonald’s might be more famous, Subway actually has more locations worldwide—over 37,000 stores in more than 100 countries.
- The Big Mac wasn’t always on the menu: One of McDonald’s most popular items, the Big Mac, was introduced in 1967 by a franchise owner, not the company itself. It became an instant hit and is now one of the world’s most recognizable fast food items.
- KFC is the first Western fast food chain in China: Fast food companies have gone global, and KFC was the first American chain to open in China in 1987, where it’s still incredibly popular today.
- Drive-thrus have evolved with technology: From the first drive-thru in the 1940s to modern systems with apps and digital screens, fast food chains have always adapted to new technology to serve customers quicker.
How to Celebrate National Fast Food Day
There are countless ways to make the most of National Fast Food Day. Here are a few fun and easy ways to enjoy the day:
- Treat yourself to a classic combo: Head to your go-to fast food restaurant and enjoy the iconic burger and fries combo. After all, nothing beats the satisfaction of a well-made burger with crispy fries and a cold drink.
- Pick up breakfast, lunch, or dinner: Fast food is available all day long. If you didn’t get a chance to celebrate earlier, no problem! Fast food joints often have extended hours, so whether it’s breakfast sandwiches, a quick lunch, or a late-night snack, you can fit in a meal when it’s convenient for you.
- Order delivery: Don’t feel like stepping out? Many fast food chains offer delivery right to your door through apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or directly from the restaurant’s own service. It’s fast food with even less effort!
- Treat yourself to dessert: If you don’t want a full meal, how about something sweet? Many fast food places offer quick desserts like ice cream cones, sundaes, or cookies. It’s a small way to join in on the day without committing to a big order.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
