Fatburger was founded in Los Angeles in 1947 by Lovie Yancey.
Lovie Yancey opened the first Fatburger in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles. The restaurant began as a small hamburger stand and later developed into an international chain. Yancey chose the name to suggest a substantial, satisfying burger rather than to refer to a specific ingredient.
Fatburger’s early identity was tied to made-to-order hamburgers and a broad range of toppings. Unlike many fast-food chains that emphasize a standardized national menu, Fatburger restaurants became associated with customizable burgers and a larger, more substantial style.
The founder’s role is sometimes overlooked because Fatburger expanded significantly after its early Los Angeles years. However, Lovie Yancey remains the individual credited with establishing the chain in 1947. The company’s birthplace is Los Angeles, not Chicago or New York.