Root beer, pizza, gyros: These 6 restaurant chains began in Northern California

Californians have established many restaurants and fast food eateries — many of which have gained traction and expanded to other parts of the state and even country.

The state is perhaps best known for establishing the famous burger chain, In-N-Out, which first opened outside of Los Angeles.

Some local chains are trying to break into new markets. Sacramento vegan-eatery Burger Patch recently opened a fourth location in Land Park with plans to expand to the Bay Area. It specializes in burgers made with plant-based Beyond Burger patties.

But some large chains had their beginnings right here in Northern California decades ago.

Here are six national and regional chains that called the area home:

A&W Restaurants

The fast food chain — known for its burgers and root beer floats — has been around for more than a 100 years.

A&W originated in Lodi, south of Sacramento. After opening the first roadside root beer stand in 1919, Roy Allen expanded into Sacramento a few years later.

After getting the business up and running, Allen started started selling franchises in 1925. A&W is one of the country’s first franchised fast food chains, with locations across the U.S. and world.

Round Table Pizza

The pizza establishment, which has been on the West Coast for several decades, got its start in the Bay Area.

In 1951, Bill Larson opened his first pizza parlor in Menlo Park with the goal of bringing people together to share a pizza. The establishment is known for having arcade games at the back of many of its stores.

Now headquartered in Los Angeles, the restaurant expanded to nearly 400 locations across the country, including some outside of California and the U.S.

Togo’s

Togo’s is a fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in sandwiches, wraps and salads.

First established in 1971 by a college student, the first Togo opened in San Jose as a sandwich shack. Togo’s is only found on the West Coast and has more than 100 locations throughout California.

Nick the Greek

Nick the Greek is known for its Greek street food including gyros, shawarmas and other pita wraps.

The chain opened in 2014 by three first-generation cousins of the same name, Nick Tsigaris, in San Jose. There are now dozens of locations throughout California, and the franchise plans to open up stores in other states soon, including in Texas, Arizona and Kansas.

H Salt Fish & Chips

The fast food company, which specializes in the British staple of fish and chips, has roots in California.

The chain originated in Sausalito in 1965, founded by British American businessman Haddon Salt, according to a 1967 edition of the Daily Independent Journal. The business flourished for several years before it was briefly acquired by Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1969, according to The New York Times.

KFC later cut ties with the company after failing to expand the fish-and-chip restaurant

Black Bear Diner

Black Bear Diner is a regional restaurant chain that specializes in homestyle, comfort food. Stores have an old-fashioned, bear paraphernalia theme and serve breakfast all day.

It started off as a diner in the small community of Mount Shasta in Siskiyou County, with doors first opening in 1995. The diner, which has still have a heavy presence across the West Coast, has since expanded to other parts of the country.

This story was originally published April 27, 2022 at 5:00 AM.