Surprising facts about your favorite fast food chains

Arby's announced in fall 2016 that 17 of the chain's locations would offer venison sandwiches for a limited time during deer hunting season.

The menu item — comprised of thick-cut venison steak, crispy onions and a "juniper berry sauce" — is one customers "can't get at any other restaurant chain," the company said.

Taco Bell - offers weddings

Do you want your wedding bells to chime at Taco Bell? You're in luck.

Taco Bell's flagship Las Vegas store is opening a wedding chapel in summer 2017. 

Its $600 wedding package includes an ordained officiant, a private reception for 15 guests, and a bridal bouquet made of hot sauce packets.

Chick-fil-A - closed on Sundays

There's a lot people don't know about their favorite fast food chains. In October 2015, for example, Chick-fil-A opened its doors in Manhattan, and many New Yorkers were surprised to learn that the fan favorite chicken joint is always closed on Sundays.

While one might assume this rule came about for religious reasons, that's not completely the case. The real story goes that the original Chick-fil-A opened on a Tuesday. By the time Sunday rolled around, the chain's founder, Truett Cathy, was exhausted and wanted a break. Now, he believes all Chick-fil-A employees deserve that same opportunity to rest and, yes, "worship if they choose to do so," the company's website says. So, the quirky tradition stems from reasons as practical as they are religious... and Chick-fil-A is far from the only chain with quirks.

In-N-Out Burger - Bible verses

In-N-Out Burger prints Bible verses on all of its products: cups, burger wrappers, fryboats, even employee paychecks. They appear in very small print and always in discreet places, but they're there nonetheless.

The beverage seen here, for example, reads "John 3:16." That citation refers to the Bible verse, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

White Castle - burger holes

Most people know that White Castle burgers are square, but did you know that they also have five holes in them? It's true. The much-loved burger is purposely produced with multiple holes, so that it can cook all the way through without needing to be flipped.

McDonald's - Chicken McNugget shapes

Chicken McNugget shapes may seem arbitrary. However, in September 2012, McDonald's Canadian website revealed that there are actually four distinct shapes: the "boot," the "ball," the "bow-tie," and the "bell."

Waffle House - the "index"

Because Waffle Houses stay open 24 hours, 365 days a year, they've become one of the key ways the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency gauges the severity of natural disasters. So, these days, instead of poring over aerial photos or sending out inspectors, administrators can simply check the "Waffle House index" to determine how badly an area has been affected by a storm.

The index is green when the local Waffle House is open and serving its full menu; yellow when it's open, but serving a limited menu; and red when it's closed. Those levels then indicate the extent to which a community has power and water.

Dunkin' Donuts - Munchkin minimum

Contrary to their reputation as the perfect bite-sized donut, when it comes to Munchkins, you can't buy just one bite. The minimum you can spend is a dollar, and the minimum quantity is actually four.

Chipotle - big name investor

Before Chipotle went public in 2006, its biggest investor was McDonald's.

Five Guys - Shaq

Shaquille O'Neal knows a thing or two about the number five. He played one on the court for years and, as of 2013, he owned 155 Five Guys restaurants. That's about ten percent of the chain's franchises in North America.

Krispy Kreme - Shaq again

Shaq added to his restaurant repertoire in 2016 when he bought a Krispy Kreme shop in Atlanta, as he announced an advertising partnership with the company. 

"Ur favorite doughnut just got even HOTTER, baby – I've joined the @krispykreme family," Shaq tweeted. 

Subways - more locations than McDonald's

There are more Subways in the world than franchises of any other food chain, and by a large margin. As of June 2017, for example, Subway says the company has 44,800 locations worldwide. McDonald's website, on the other hand, states the company has "more than 36,000" in more than 100 countries.

The artist formerly known as BK

In Australia, Burger King is known as Hungry Jack's.

That works out perfectly because "burger" and "hungry" have exactly the same number of letters, as do "king" and "jack." So, the popular fast food chain can easily use the same logos and imagery in both countries. The Australian chain's additional apostrophe s doesn't even necessitate much resizing.

IHOP - pancakes in the eggs

IHOP adds a bit of its signature pancake batter to both its omelets and its scrambled eggs. So, contrary to popular belief, customers who are trying to eat gluten free or watch their diets should beware the egg section of the menu.

Hardee's & Carl's Jr.

Hardee's and Carl's Jr. are actually branches of the same company. Just look at how similar their logos are.

Chipotle - A means to an end

For Steve Ells, the creator of Chipotle, the "fast casual" burrito chain was just the means to an end. When Ells graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, he dreamed of opening a fine-dining restaurant, but lacked the funds to do it. So, he started Chipotle to raise those funds, anticipating that he might be able to sell about 107 burritos a day. By the end of the first month, they were selling closer to 1,000 burritos a day, and the rest is history.

Pizza Hut - space endeavor

In May 2001, Pizza Hut delivered a pizza to Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachov at the International Space Station. It reportedly hitched a ride on a Russian rocket to get there. The promotional stunt cost the company $1 million. Let's hope the returns were out of this world.

Chick-fil-A - first 100

When a new Chick-fil-A opens, the first 100 customers receive a free meal every week for a year. All the more incentive to rush over and be the first in your neighborhood to snag a chicken biscuit.