The Hamburger-Story

How the hamburger conquered the world... and caused a furore at SALOMON®
On its sesame-strewn shoulders it carries the weight of 100 years of history, but it is still a “bestseller“ and what’s more, a true quick-change artist: the hamburger. It presents itself in a new and varied guise, time and again, and adapts skilfully to current lifestyle trends. So today we find a wide range of chicken burgers or vegetarian versions as adaptations of the “classic burger”.
But when did the hamburger fever which has infected the whole world actually take hold? According to the archives, the “original hamburger” was presented in 1904 at the World’s Fair in St. Louis – exactly 100 years ago. Very soon, this burger known as a “meat patty between two halves of a roll” had achieved cult status and  developed its own special recipe and sales strategy.
At SALOMON®, the first HITBurger Hamburger came off the conveyor belt in 1980. Right at the beginning, a partnership with BURGER KING was initiated. A few years later, the HITBurger Classic with the US role model followed: unseasoned, juicy and very course. Under the motto “Think Big“, the HITBurger Classic ensured an “American Feeling“ in German diners and snack bars. 
A further milestone in SALOMON's very own burger story was laid in 1984. SALOMON® became the exclusive supplier of the Whopper for BURGER KING and since 2001 also serves further European countries with the companys most significant brand product.
In 2000, SALOMON® developed the ultimate Giant Burger and, with this innovation, made the impossible possible – the Giant is the largest industrially-produced burger in the world, weighing up to 339g. Special shapes also attract attention, such as the heart-shaped “I Love You burger”. Here Hatting was secured as a strong partner for the matching buns.
Happy Birthday Hamburger! Salomon is celebrating the 100th anniversary the whole year long with exciting campaigns focussing on the hamburger. It kicks off with the new GIANT campaign.
On the occasion of the Hamburger Festival 2004, SALOMON® compiled the unique success story of the Hamburger for you – happy reading:

Dates & Fakts

1834
The New York Restaurant “Delminico“ first advertised a hamburger steak – at that time still without the bun – to attract the custom of German seafarers and immigrants.

1885
At a funfair in the small town of Seymour, it is said that a hamburger, beaten flat, was sold as a snack.



Around 1900
The hamburger and the hamburger steak are frowned upon by “better society” both being considered food for the common people

1904
Fame for the first time at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. Fletcher Davis presented a minced meat steak with mustard and onion what even attracted praise from the New York Tribune.

1916
The American chef Walter Anderson sandwiched the hamburger between two halves of a bun and sold it at the open counter of his stand, the “White Castle“. In the 20s and 30s dozens of these vehicles followed. Anderson popularised the hamburger.

1948
Ultimate breakthrough and a firm place in American dining culture. The brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald open the first “drive-in hamburger bar”.

1954
Jim McLamore and David Edgerton found BURGER KING in Miami, Florida

1955
The McDonald brothers sell out to Krok, who also secures the world-wide marketing rights. In the same year he opens the first McDonald’s of his own.

1957
BURGER KING launches the “Whopper“, the company’s most significant brand product.

1961
Mc Donalds sets up the Hamburger University. Over the years, many hundreds of McDonalds managers have been through the Chicago management training programme.

1965
McDonalds takes the plunge and goes onto the stock exchange

1968
Jim Delligatti, McDonalds franchise-holder, invents the Big Mac. From now on, it is the chain’s most important product.

1969
Branch newcomer Wendy´s opens its first outlet in Columbus, Ohio

1971
McDonalds opens its first restaurant in Germany on 4 December, 1971 in Munich’s Martin Luther Street.

1975
BURGER KINGS first European outlet in Madrid

1986
Wendy´s establishes the Big Classic

1989
Ten BURGER KING Academies start their training courses in the USA, four years later, a Burger King Academy in London follows

1996
Annual hamburger consumption breaks the five-billion barrier for the first time.

2002
McDonalds has over 30,000 operations in 121 countries.

2003
BURGER KING International opens its 3000th restaurant in Europe. The “Jubilee Operation” is in Hamburg-Moorflet. Around the world, BURGER KING has 11,350 restaurants, 400 of them in Germany.
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