Discover how Burger King cooked up its recipe for international success right here in the Sunshine State. 

From Red Lobster and Olive Garden to Hooters (yep!), many chains were birthed in our sunny state. However, one restaurant chain might be more popular than the rest of them combined: Burger King. In fact, it’s one of the most valuable quick service brands in the world, having garnered a value of more than seven billion dollars as of 2022.

Burger King first fired up its grills in sunny Jacksonville, Florida. It sizzled into existence as “Instant Burger King” on July 23, 1954. From its original menu to pivotal moments that shaped its growth, explore the lesser-known chapters of Burger King’s story in Florida:

The History of Burger King

Origins of Instant Burger King

The journey of what is now known as Burger King began on July 23, 1954. The first store opened in Jacksonville, Florida under the name Instant Burger King. Founders Keith J. Kramer and his stepfather Matthew Burns were inspired by the success of the McDonald brothers in California and sought to create a similar fast food concept. 

Burger King’s Signature Cooking Method

Burger King set itself apart early by using the flame broiling method with the “Insta-Broiler,” a strategy that became a brand hallmark. This method differentiated Burger King from competitors who used grills and carved out a unique niche in the fast food industry for Burger King.

Name Change That Started an Empire

The name “Burger King” was adopted after James McLamore and David R. Edgerton — franchisees from Miami, Florida — acquired Instant Burger King. Under this new identity, they opened their inaugural Burger King location on December 4, 1954, marking a new chapter in the fast food chain’s history.

The Birth of a Mascot in 1955

In 1955 Burger King created its first mascot, “The Burger King.” This character quickly became an iconic element of the chain’s marketing and remained a central figure in its advertising campaigns for over six decades. 

The Whopper: Crafting a Burger Icon

In 1957, James McLamore created the Whopper. The Whopper became Burger King’s signature sandwich and was inspired by the success of a rival’s larger burger. It originally cost 37 cents and was designed to offer a bigger, more satisfying option to customers. 

Pillsbury’s Big Move: Acquiring Burger King

In 1967, the Pillsbury Company bought Burger King from founders James McLamore and David Edgerton. At this time, Burger King had grown to 274 restaurants across the United States. This led to Pillsbury buying Burger King for an estimated value of $18 million. 

Menu Expansion to Compete With Rivals

In 1979, Burger King diversified its menu to better compete with chains like Wendy’s. Burger King created a sandwich line, which included various chicken and fish options. The new menu was aimed at attracting customers who would pay more for higher-quality food.

Burger Wars

In the early 1980s, Burger King started an ad campaign claiming their burgers were better than McDonald’s. This was one of the first times a fast food chain directly named a competitor in an ad, which led to a lawsuit from McDonald’s that even involved the child actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, who appeared in the ads. Despite the legal drama, these “Burger Wars” ads helped increase Burger King’s sales significantly.

Magic and Meals: Burger King’s Disney Collaborations

In the early 1990s, Burger King partnered with another Florida Company, the Walt Disney Company. Burger King created Kids Club Meals that came with collectible toys. These toys tied in with the release of Disney movies like “The Lion King,” “Toy Story,” and “Aladdin.”

Burger King’s Recovery from Hurricane Andrew

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed Burger King’s headquarters in Miami. The company set up a temporary command center to manage recovery. It took more than a year to rebuild the headquarters, which reopened in Miami in September 1993 and still serves as Burger King’s headquarters to this day.