Unwrapping the History: Who Invented the Beloved Bacon Cheeseburger?

The bacon cheeseburger has secured its place as an iconic American food favorite. The combination of a juicy beef patty, gooey cheese smoky bacon, and tangy condiments is hard to top in the burger world. But who first invented this genius union of two classic foods – bacon and cheeseburgers? The origins can be traced back to one innovative fast food franchise and location.

Before Bacon Burgers: The Rise of A&W

To understand the birth of the bacon cheeseburger you first have to know a little about the restaurant chain that created it – A&W. Founded in 1919 A&W is the oldest fast food franchise in the U.S. Its first location opened in Lodi, California selling fresh draft root beer for 5 cents a glass.

The chain expanded across the west coast and into the Midwest over the next few decades By the late 1950s, A&W had over 450 locations slinging signature burgers, hot dogs, fries and frosty mugs of root beer from coast to coast

So the popular food chain was already a burger powerhouse by the time the bacon cheeseburger came along. But what prompted the game-changing addition of bacon to an already delicious cheeseburger?

1961: New A&W Location Sparks Innovation

In 1961, Michigan franchisee Dave Mulder opened a new A&W restaurant in Lansing, Michigan. Situated on a major highway, the location enjoyed solid traffic and sales early on.

But within a couple years, construction on a nearby interstate allowed travelers to bypass the area entirely. With business slowing, Mulder knew he needed a fresh new menu item to draw back customers.

Staring at his restaurant’s signature cheeseburger one day, a lightbulb went off. Mulder had the brilliant idea to add sizzling bacon strips to the burger, creating a new taste sensation.

1963: The Bacon Cheeseburger is Born

In 1963, the very first bacon cheeseburger was sold at Mulder’s Lansing A&W franchise, instantly elevating the humble cheeseburger. Customers went crazy for the smoky, salty bacon complementing the juicy beef and tangy cheese.

The bacon cheeseburger was an instant hit, breathing new life into the location. News of the innovative burger spread through the A&W chain and soon nationwide as it was added to menus across the country.

Within no time, the bacon cheeseburger had become a staple of burger joints everywhere. But Dave Mulder and his Lansing A&W can rightly stake their claim as the originators of the now-legendary bacon cheeseburger.

Why Bacon Was the Perfect Addition

What made bacon such a genius addition to the plain cheeseburger? A few factors help explain the immense and lasting popularity of the bacon cheeseburger:

• Flavor – Bacon added rich smokiness, saltiness, and crisp texture that perfectly balanced the juicy beef and melted cheese.

• Versatility – The bacon cheeseburger could be customized with all the same toppings as a regular cheeseburger.

• Indulgence – Adding a salty, fatty meat like bacon made the burger even more decadent and satisfying.

• Familiarity – People already loved bacon and cheeseburgers, so combining them was a natural fit.

• Trendiness – In the 1960s, consumers were craving exciting new flavor combinations like this.

Mulder’s innovation checked all the boxes for a massively successful new menu item. The bacon cheeseburger appealed to consumers’ tastebuds while capitalizing on current food trends.

Regional Roots, National Appeal

While the bacon cheeseburger has become an American classic, its Michigan roots can’t be forgotten. The combination of two Midwest staples – cheeseburgers and bacon – was a natural fit for the area’s meat-loving palates.

From its humble beginnings in Lansing, the bacon cheeseburger soon spread across the country through A&W’s national presence. It became a staple menu item at diners and burger joints coast to coast.

That Midwest original is now firmly embedded in American food culture as one of the most popular burger iterations around.

The Bacon Cheeseburger Today

Since its 1963 debut, the bacon cheeseburger has only grown in popularity, cementing its status as a menu must-have. It’s now featured at all major fast food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, Sonic and Wendy’s.

Sit-down restaurants put their own gourmet spins on the bacon cheeseburger, elevating it with artisanal ingredients. Home cooks have embraced the easy but delicious meal, with countless bacon cheeseburger recipes available.

Over 50 years later, the appeal of the bacon cheeseburger is timeless. While versions may vary, the invention of A&W franchisee Dave Mulder endures as the blueprint.

Other A&W Inventions

Beyond spawning the bacon cheeseburger, A&W has other influential menu creations under its belt, including:

• Root beer floats – Invented by adding vanilla ice cream to their signature frosty root beer.

• Coney Island hot dogs – A&W pioneered hot dogs covered in chili sauce and onions.

• Bacon chili cheese fries – Fries topped with chili, cheese and crispy bacon bits.

• Papa Burgers – Introduced one of the first better burger variants in 1963.

From frosty mugs of root beer to bacon cheeseburgers, A&W’s innovations have undeniably shaped American food and restaurant culture over the past century.

So next time you sink your teeth into a piping hot bacon cheeseburger, be sure to honor franchisee Dave Mulder and Lansing, Michigan’s A&W for birthing this brillant burger back in 1963! The popularity of their creation has only grown over the decades, securing the bacon cheeseburger’s place in the American food pantheon.