By Madison Troyer, Stacker

Since A&W Root Beer became the first American restaurant to franchise in 1926, the United States—and the rest of the world—has been dominated by chains.

Iconic establishments like the now-defunct Howard Johnson’s trained customers to look toward its distinctive orange roofs for consistency and comfort, while McDonald’s revolutionized the industry with its focus on speed and affordability.

Over the years, chains have had a tremendous influence on American culture, from Little Caesars making takeout pizza accessible to families to Panda Express bringing Chinese American cuisine to the mainstream. It’s no wonder so many of us feel connected to chain restaurants, which have had a notable impact on what and how we eat.

At the same time, the resilience of these des

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