Questions about Hamburger
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who invented the hamburger?
No single inventor has been conclusively established. Competing claims include Charlie Nagreen at the 1885 Seymour Fair in Wisconsin, brothers Frank and Charles Menches at the 1885 Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York, Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas in the 1880s, and Louis Lassen of Louis' Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut around 1900. An ABC News summary noted it is entirely possible that more than one person came up with the idea simultaneously in different parts of the country.
Where does the name hamburger come from?
The term hamburger derives from Hamburg, Germany, though the exact connection is disputed. Theories include Hamburg steak served on Hamburg America Line ships (which began operations in 1847), a "Hamburgh sausage" recipe from Hannah Glasse's 1758 cookbook, and a street snack called "Rundstuck warm" popular in Hamburg by 1869. The Menches brothers claimed their version was named after Hamburg, New York, not Germany.
When did McDonald's open and who sold it to Ray Kroc?
McDonald's opened in San Bernardino, California, in 1940, founded by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald. In 1961, Ray Kroc, who had been their milkshake machine supplier, purchased the company from the brothers for $2.7 million and a 1.9% royalty.
How much does a hamburger cost in the United States today?
According to Bloomberg News, the average fast-food burger in the United States reached $8.41 in the second quarter of 2024, a 16% increase from 2019. The McDonald's Big Mac cost $5.29 in the same period, representing a 21% price increase over five years.
What is the world's most expensive hamburger?
Serendipity 3 was recognized by Guinness World Records in May 2012 for the world's most expensive hamburger, the $295 Le Burger Extravagant. Mallie's Sports Grill and Bar in Southgate, Michigan, sells the 185.8-pound "Absolutely Ridiculous Burger" commercially for $499; it takes about 12 hours to prepare.
What is the Big Mac Index?
The Big Mac Index is a tool created by The Economist that uses the price of a McDonald's Big Mac in different countries to compare the purchasing power of different currencies. It works because the Big Mac is a standardized product sold internationally, making its price a rough benchmark for currency valuation.