An affectionate history of the architecture, design, and décor of American chain restaurants, from their beginnings in the 1870s (the early Harvey Houses at railroad stations on the Western frontier) to the mid-1980s (McDonald's, Wendy's, Pizza Hut, etc.). Illustrated with more than 150 black-and-white or full-color photographs, paintings, architectural renderings, floor plans, postcards, and much more.--From publisher description.