quick-service
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The Coffee Chain That Puts a Bean on Top
Founded in a Southern Oregon parking lot in 1998, The Human Bean built a 260-location drive-thru empire on fast espresso, direct-trade beans, and an October fundraiser that has pulled in more than $4 million for breast cancer causes.
Habit Burger & Grill
It started as a burger stand under the Santa Barbara sun in 1969. Fifty-five years and one ampersand later, Habit Burger & Grill is Yum! Brands' bet that a chargrilled patty can scale without losing the char.
Portillo's
How a $1,100 hot dog trailer in Villa Park became a $730-million restaurant company that still refuses to franchise, put chocolate cake in a milkshake, and ships Italian beef to your door.
Papa Gino's
Papa Gino's is a New England pizzeria chain known for its thin-crust pizza, pasta, and subs. Founded in East Boston in 1961 by Italian immigrant Michael Valerio and his wife Helen as a by-the-slice shop called Piece O' Pizza, it grew into a regional institution across Massachusetts and neighboring states. After a 2018 bankruptcy that shrank the chain dramatically, it was bought by Wynnchurch Capital and now operates roughly 78-79 locations, leaning on its New England roots and a 2026 partnership with Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to win back fans.