It was built on burgers. From early pioneers like White Castle and A&W to global giants like McDonald’s, the burger has long been the backbone of the drive-thru menu—and decades later, it still is.

This article was featured in the One Story to Read Today newsletter. Sign up for it here. “Jolly morning!” is a weird way to be greeted, no matter the context. But it rang out, like birdsong, from ...