THEN AND NOW: How Burger King has changed through the years

Erin McDowellJul 14, 2020, 22:06 IST

A Whopper from Burger King.Katherine Frey/The Washington Post/Getty Images

In 1953, the very first Burger King restaurant opened its doors.
Four years later, the chain released its most iconic menu item to date, the Whopper, which is still a menu staple today.
From the removal and subsequent return of the chain's "creepy" mascot to the introduction of internet cafés, Burger King has evolved a lot over the years.

Burger King is the second-largest fast-food burger chain in the world, and it isn't for lack of trying.

Ever since the first Insta-Burger King opened its doors in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1953, the chain has been serving up signature flame-broiled burgers, milkshakes, and fries that have satisfied customers all over the globe.

We took a look back at how the chain has evolved over the years, from mascot and menu changes to restaurant redesigns and the chain's reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.

Here's how Burger King has changed since its beginnings in the 1950s.

The first Burger King restaurant opened in 1953. Back then, it was called Insta-Burger King.

Insta-Burger King. Burger King

Today, Burger King has ‎17,796 locations worldwide.

A customer walks into a Burger King restaurant on August 24, 2010, in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/Getty Images

An early version of the Burger King logo featured curved letters sandwiched between two yellow burger buns.

A Burger King restaurant in 1982. Bernard CHARLON/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

Burger King's current logo has remained the same since its introduction in 1998.

Burger King sign. Scott Olson / Getty Images

Burger King grew in popularity due to its quick-service model.

Catherine Thomas, a crew member at Burger King 600 Broadway in New York City in 1989. Glen Martin/The Denver Post/Getty Images

In 1957, Burger King released its signature burger, the Whopper, which is still around today.

Burger King Whopper. Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

Pillsbury executive Norman Brinker brought great success to Burger King and notably started what's now known as the "Burger Wars."

Burger King introduces its new Big King hamburger, 1997. James Leynse/Corbis/Getty Images

From the 1960s to the 1980s, the Burger King mascot was a cartoon king. In 2004, Burger King revealed its new mascot, "The King."

Burger King's mascot. Evan Agostini/Getty Images

However, in 2015, the King was back on his throne.

The Burger King mascot stands outside the stadium prior to the kickoff of Super Bowl XLII between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots in February 2008. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

Burger King has since focused its advertisements on showcasing its food's high-quality ingredients with no preservatives added.

Burger King's "moldy burger" ad. Courtesy of Burger King

In the 1980s, Burger King began to see a decline in sales.

A Burger King employee serving a customer. Anne-Christine Poujoulat / Getty Images

Burger King also attempted to attract new customers with a larger menu that included chicken and fish sandwiches.

Fast-food employees at a Burger King in France, 1982. John van Hasselt/Corbis/Getty Images

Since then, Burger King has continued to add new and exciting items to its menus.

Burger King employee Fabiola Duran prepares a low-carbohydrate version of the Whopper during the lunchtime rush in 2004. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

In 1978, Smith began testing breakfast items.

An ad for Burger King's Croissan'wich. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Croissan'wich was introduced in 1983 and French Toast sticks were released in 1985.

Burger King Croissan'wich. Hollis Johnson

Some menu items that have come and gone over the years include Burger King's Angus 'Shroom and Swiss steak burger and its Italian chicken sandwich.

Drive-thru menu at Burger King on November 4, 2005. Gordon Chibroski/Portland Press Herald/Getty Images

Now, spicy chicken sandwiches are among the most popular items on many fast-food menus.

Burger King spicy chicken sandwich. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

In years past, the more meat the better.

Burger King's "Angry Triple Whopper" with three beef patties, bacon, pepper jack cheese, jalapeno peppers, "Angry" onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and "Angry" sauce. PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images

In 2020, plant-based burgers are on the rise.

Burger King Impossible Whopper. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Burger King was the first fast-food restaurant chain to offer dining rooms.

A young girl eating a bagel sandwich in Burger King fast-food restaurant in 1988. Ted Kirk/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

Burger King ushered in the Internet age when it introduced its own version of an internet cafe in the late 1990s.

People surf the web at a Burger King with internet access on November 17, 2000, in New York. Chris Hondros/Newsmakers/Getty Images

Today, you won't find computers in Burger King restaurants.

Burger King customers waiting in line. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

However, you might find that restaurants are cleaner and more technologically savvy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Burger King signage indicating drive-thru service is available during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Wednesday, April 22, 2020. David Allio/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

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