The 8 Best Fast-Food Chains From North Carolina
From California's beloved In-N-Out to Texas-orange Whataburger, or even the golden arches of Illinois' McDonald's, to say the United States has a seemingly endless supply of fast-food chains would be an understatement. From coast to coast, you'll find countless restaurants with a distinct product or brand appeal that has local's hearts, a national presence, or succeeded in reaching international status. Even with this plethora of fast food, there is one unassuming state that you may have never guessed as the homeland of some of these revered chains — and that would be North Carolina.
This Southern state is quite the epicenter of delicious options. North Carolina is directly responsible for some of the most recognizable fast-food restaurants, whether it's a burger spot with a few regional locations or donut franchises around the globe. In this roundup, we cover the eight best fast-food chains that we have North Carolina to thank for. Ready to see if you're familiar with a few?
Krispy Kreme
The iconic neon "Hot Now" donut sign can be seen in locations from the East to West Coast, but did you know that Krispy Kreme got its start in Winston-Salem, North Carolina? Opened by founder Vernon Rudolph in 1937, the fabled airy glazed yeast donut wasn't dreamt up by Rudolph. Rather, he derived the recipe from another, a French chef out of New Orleans. Once it was purchased and wares up and running, the donut franchise was met with instant popularity that continued to build (along with new locations) for the next 20 years.
Over time, each store was outfitted with its own donut processing equipment, mass-producing glazed donuts in hot oil and pushing them through a curtain of icing glaze via a conveyor belt, which still happens at locations to this day. Storefronts aren't just limited to the States, though. There will be 35 countries with Krispy Kreme locations by the end of 2023, including Mexico, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Canada, and Europe.
Bojangles
With 807 locations and counting across 17 states (and at one point internationally), many customers can readily say "It's Bo Time" while enjoying their local Boj's wares. Bojangles has modest origins, with its original flagship store opening in 1977 in Charlotte, North Carolina by Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas. Fulk came from a fast-food background, working at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant and franchising a Hardee's, another N.C. fast-food alum. The mastermind of Bojangles' infamous buttermilk biscuit, he developed the recipe while at Hardee's, which translated to massive sales performance — even though it wasn't actually on the menu. He worked with Thomas to create the robust, Cajun-seasoned recipes that Bojangles is still known for today, as well as the Southern-hospitality-focused branding of the restaurant.
From the various fried chicken entrees to their own proprietary seasoning to "legendary" iced tea to Fulk's buttermilk biscuits made in a whopping 49 steps, Bojangles' wildly popular menu has helped put this fast-food chain in a league of its own.
Cook Out
While not taking over the world by storm (yet), Cook Out has amassed an extensive fan base not only in North Carolina, but neighboring states as well. Offering a robust menu of milkshakes, value trays of hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, wraps, fries, hushpuppies, and even corn dogs, the chain puts an emphasis on excellent food, quickly delivered and at a good price. Cook Out's humble origins begin in Greensboro, North Carolina, and since 1989 has grown to over 332 locations and counting across the Southeastern United States.
Since Cook Out puts a huge emphasis on food quality, the chain sources its own meat and delivers it daily to each location, hence its "Always Fresh, Never Frozen" motto. If that weren't enough, good luck choosing just one milkshake flavor of the 41 available, not counting all the combinations and add-in options you can ask for.
As this fast-food chain continues to grow, other burger joints should probably keep an eye on the competition, as Cook Out's standards are bringing the heat.
Char-Grill
Centralized in North Carolina's Triangle area, Char-Grill is another small, locally acclaimed burger chain that offers good eats with a touch of spectacle. The first restaurant opened in 1959 near N.C. State's campus and still is in operation today along with eight other locations that opened over the years. You can primarily find them scattered throughout the suburbs of the state's capital, Raleigh, as well as nearby cities of Durham and Cary.
But what draws customers to Char-Grill over other fast-food spots? It's all in the name. The distinctive features of Char-Grill are its old-school feel, glass-encased kitchen, and ordering process. Jot down your order on a paper ticket, feed it into a slot, pay, and then watch your steak burgers being cooked over a hot grill. Many locations have an outdoor arrangement, where patrons sit can sit on a covered patio while observing their food being prepared. Dinner and a show.
Biscuitville
As you've probably picked up by now, biscuits are a core component of Southern cuisine. Dedicated completely to this sentiment, Biscuitville is a biscuit fast-food joint that has been raking in the dough since 1966. This is especially true from a biscuit production standpoint, as Biscuitville states a new batch is made every 15 minutes at stores. This breakfast chain technically got started as a happy accident in Burlington, North Carolina, as founder Maurice Jennings had chosen to inherit his grandmother's secret prized biscuit recipe. Amongst his many bread-backed business ventures, he opened several pizza restaurants, where he produced biscuits to help drive early-morning business. Spoiler alert: Biscuits ended up dethroning pizza as a customer favorite and hence, Biscuitville was born.
Today, you can find 70 Biscuitvilles spread across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Jennings' secret family biscuit recipe is still going strong and made from locally sourced ingredients, per Biscuitville standards.
Hardee's
Once a small Greenville North Carolina fast-food restaurant with big dreams, Hardee's has exploded in its presence across not only the United States but the globe. According to Hardee's, there are 1,800 locations in the U.S., and that number only grows to 3,800 restaurants around the world. You might ask, how is this possible for a North Carolina biscuit-and-burger joint? After being founded by Wilbur Hardee in 1960, Hardee's steamrolled ahead to 200 locations in the States and Germany only a few years later thanks to the direction of new ownership.
As it continued to expand through the following decades, Hardee's was part of a number of acquisitions of smaller restaurant chains and mergers with larger brands. This ultimately led to CKE Restaurants taking the helm and merging Herdee's with another major West Coast chain, Carl Jr.'s. That led to the restaurants becoming two sides of the same coin, with a combined menu and 3,800 locations across 43 countries. So, should you ever crave a Hardee's charbroiled burger, biscuit, or milkshake, keep your eye out for its smiling golden star sign.
Come Back Shack
Come Back Shack insists that it is, "not a chain, [and] we're not a franchise," but we remain hopeful that they continue to grow so many can indulge in the unique flavor and branding it offers. The original restaurant is in Boone, complete with rusty-looking metal siding to drive home the "shack" flair. Outside of this North Carolina town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are only two other locations near the South Carolina coast. This is a relatively young brand, started in 2014 by brothers Scott and Steven Prewitt. The duo pulled inspiration from their hometown of Jackson, Mississippi (particularly a beloved eatery called the Mayflower Cafe) while building this Boone mainstay.
Since Come Back Shack's slogan is "food with love," you'll find family recipes, local ingredients, and no freezers in-store to emphasize the freshness of the food. All three locations offer the same menu: specialty burgers, shakes, lemonades, salads, plus chicken sandwiches and tenders. Whether it's the ultra-Southern Fried Green Tomato Burger or fries drenched in Come Back sauce, there's really no wrong answer when ordering.
Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q
If there's one food that North Carolina is known for above all else, many locals would argue that it's barbecue. While the best regional style is up for debate, a non-negotiable is a solid foundation of quality pulled pork. There are a number of barbeque chains that operate on a national level, but Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Que is a regional fast-food chain that's completely driven by North Carolina-style barbeque standards.
Founder Gregory Moore started Smithfield's in 1980. Today the chain is 40 locations strong across North Carolina, with the brand running 18 stores and the other 22 held by franchisees. The menu aims to supply customers with barbecue necessities, including pulled pork, sauces, and Southern sides. While there's no relation to the nearby Smithfield Foods pork producer other than name licensing, Smithfield's has created its own presence in the regional food scene for the past 40 years. If you need North Carolina-style barbeque ready to go, this is the spot for you.