Atlanta holds a unique position in American fast food history as the birthplace of several of the nation’s most significant fast food chains. Chick-fil-A originated at the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia in 1946, with the first dedicated Chick-fil-A location opening in 1967 at Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall. Waffle House was founded in 1955 in Avondale Estates by Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner. The Varsity, founded in 1928 near Georgia Tech, is one of America’s oldest and largest drive-in fast food operations. Atlanta also gave rise to Moe’s Southwest Grill, which began as a Spring Street pizzeria, and is home to Zaxby’s, which was founded in Georgia in 1990. The concentration of nationally significant fast food brands with Atlanta origins is unmatched by most American cities.
When evaluating a fast food restaurant in Atlanta, value, speed, and consistency are the core metrics. Fast food is defined by its expectation of the same product delivered reliably across visits and locations. Atlanta’s locally founded chains distinguish themselves from national competitors by retaining elements of their regional character even at scale — Waffle House’s open griddle and counter seating model, The Varsity’s shorthand ordering system, and Chick-fil-A’s service culture all reflect the Atlanta origins of each brand. For fast food operations that have grown into national chains, the quality of the original Atlanta locations often exceeds the national average due to the home market expectations placed on their home city restaurants.
Top Fast Food Restaurant Companies in Atlanta
1. Chick-fil-A
Address: 5898 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30341 (Corporate Headquarters area, multiple Atlanta locations)
Website: https://www.chick-fil-a.com
Founded: 1946 (Dwarf Grill, Hapeville, GA); first Chick-fil-A restaurant 1967 (Greenbriar Mall, Atlanta)
Services:
- Original chicken sandwich and variations
- Chicken nuggets, strips, and salads
- Waffle fries and sides
- Breakfast menu
- Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
- Drive-through and dine-in service
About: Chick-fil-A was founded by S. Truett Cathy, who began with the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville, Georgia in 1946 and opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in 1967 at Atlanta’s Greenbriar Mall, pioneering the food court restaurant format. The company’s corporate headquarters are in College Park, Georgia, in the Atlanta metro area, and the brand has grown to over 2,600 locations across the United States, making it one of the most successful restaurant companies in American history. Chick-fil-A’s commitment to closing on Sundays reflects founder Truett Cathy’s personal values and remains a defining operational characteristic. The brand consistently ranks among the highest in customer satisfaction among American fast food chains. Atlanta is the home market of Chick-fil-A and the city where the brand’s culture and service standards were developed.
2. Waffle House
Address: Multiple Atlanta metro locations; original museum location at 2719 E College Ave, Avondale Estates, GA 30002
Website: https://www.wafflehouse.com
Founded: 1955 (Avondale Estates, GA)
Services:
- Waffles, eggs, and breakfast plates cooked on open griddle
- T-bone steaks, burgers, and sandwiches
- Hash browns with extensive customization options
- 24-hour service seven days a week, every day of the year
- Counter seating and takeout
- Over 1,900 locations in 25 states
About: Waffle House was founded on Labor Day weekend 1955 in Avondale Estates, Georgia, by Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner, who wanted to create a 24-hour sit-down restaurant for their community. The concept grew into one of the most culturally significant restaurant brands in the American South, with its 24-hour no-lock-on-the-doors operating model, open griddle visible to all diners, and hash brown customization shorthand becoming defining characteristics of the experience. Waffle House claims to be the world’s leading seller of waffles and serves 2% of all eggs consumed in the United States. The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses Waffle House as an informal indicator of disaster recovery progress, a metric known as the Waffle House Index. The original location was restored and converted into a private company museum in 2007.
3. The Varsity
Address: 61 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 881-1706
Website: https://www.thevarsity.com
Founded: 1928
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 AM-8 PM, Friday-Saturday 11 AM-9 PM
Services:
- Classic chili dogs and chili burgers
- Hot dogs, hamburgers, and sandwiches
- Onion rings and signature sides
- Frosted Orange and frozen desserts
- Drive-in and dine-in for up to 800 diners
- Suburban Atlanta locations
About: The Varsity was founded in 1928 by Frank Gordy near Georgia Tech campus and has operated for nearly a century as one of the most historically significant fast food establishments in American history. The restaurant occupies two city blocks and can accommodate 800 diners inside, making it one of the largest restaurant facilities in the country by seating capacity. The Varsity’s unique ordering system, where counter workers call out orders using traditional shorthand, is an irreplaceable element of the experience that has remained consistent across nearly a century of operation. The chili dog and chili burger have been Atlanta staples since 1928, and the Frosted Orange frozen drink is among the most recognized Atlanta food items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What fast food chains originated in Atlanta?
A: Atlanta has an exceptionally strong fast food founding history. Chick-fil-A originated with the Dwarf Grill in Hapeville in 1946 and opened its first dedicated location at Greenbriar Mall in 1967. Waffle House was founded in Avondale Estates in 1955. The Varsity has operated near Georgia Tech since 1928. Moe’s Southwest Grill originated in Atlanta and has expanded nationally. Zaxby’s was founded in Georgia in 1990. According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, more food franchises are headquartered in Atlanta than in any other American city.
Q: What is the Waffle House Index?
A: The Waffle House Index is an informal measure used by FEMA and emergency management officials to assess the severity of a disaster and speed of community recovery. Because Waffle House restaurants are open 24 hours a year-round and have protocols for continuing to serve limited menus during power outages and supply disruptions, the status of local Waffle House locations is used as an indicator: a fully open Waffle House suggests minor impact, a limited menu suggests moderate impact, and a closed Waffle House suggests severe impact. The Index reflects the real operational resilience that has made Waffle House a cultural institution in the American South.
Q: What is the ordering experience like at The Varsity?
A: The Varsity uses a classic counter service model where servers take orders using shorthand and deliver food rapidly in the tradition of Atlanta’s original drive-in format. The signature call when a customer approaches the counter is “What’ll ya have?” — a phrase that has become as associated with The Varsity as its food. Regulars order using Varsity shorthand: a “naked dog” is a plain hot dog, “all the way” means with everything, and a “PC” is a plain chocolate milk. The experience of ordering and eating at the original North Avenue location is a distinct Atlanta cultural event separate from the food quality itself.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s fast food restaurant scene is anchored by three of the most historically significant fast food brands in American history: Chick-fil-A, founded in Hapeville in 1946 and now operating over 2,600 locations nationwide; Waffle House, founded in Avondale Estates in 1955 and serving 24-hour Southern comfort food across 1,900 locations; and The Varsity, Atlanta’s 1928-founded drive-in institution with nearly a century of continuous operation. Each represents a distinct and genuinely Atlanta contribution to American fast food culture. Contact these establishments directly for catering, large group orders, and location-specific information.