Original Locations of 15 Mega-Chains

The biggest franchises in the world all started with just one store. Some are so big and have been around so long that few know where the original was! Read how Starbucks, 7-11, and The Gap started out, and plenty of trivia. Did you know Taco Bell was named after its founder? That Arby's is named for the pronunciation of R.B, but that doesn't mean roast beef? And the first Whoppers cost 37 cents? Fifteen such chains are featured in this post. Link -Thanks, Freshome!

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Here are two links that may help explain why a chain named Sambo's was doomed to fail. Warning: racial stereotypes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Black_Sambo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSfGvptL_TY

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Can't believe they left out Sambos. The one that started it all in 1957 is still in business in Santa Barbara, CA. but is now the only one left.

From Wikipedia...

" Sambo's had 1,200 outlets in 47 U.S. states. However in the late seventies controversy over the chain's name drew protests and lawsuits in communities that viewed the term Sambo as a pejorative towards African-Americans, particularly in Northeast states. "

As a kid, I always understood Sambo as the name of the chain's masquot (a cute tiger), but some folks are just too tightly wound up. PC will be the death of us all.

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McDonald's started in my hometown (not sure how proud I am of that...but its nice to see my hometown featured on Neatorama) and I used to drive by the McDonalds museum (which is very mini) all the time. Its kind of weird that something that started where I was born has exploded all over the world. Well, mostly because we have very few claims to fame.

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I'm so glad the first Hilton was mentioned. My dad was the manager there for several years before it was an "Indigo." He left when the traditional decor changed to a nautical theme. I still don't understand that, nautical in Dallas? The closest body of water is the Trinity River.