#24: Pioneer Chicken (1961)
Pioneer Chicken was founded in 1961 by H.R. Kaufman, and it quickly grew in popularity due to its delicious, deep-fried chicken and hearty sides. At its peak, there were over 270 restaurants, and then Kaufman sold the restaurant.
In 1993, AFC Enterprises, which owned Popeyes, bought Pioneer, and most locations became Popeyes. However, two locations in Los Angeles and Bell Gardens, California, still retain the Pioneer Chicken name. If you’re in those areas, you can get some of their chicken.