Indiana’s Favorite Fast Food Breakfast Spot is a True Classic

The most popular fast food breakfast restaurant in Indiana is not only a clear winner but also comes with a unique history.

Fast food breakfast options differ from place to place, but they usually include some sort of sandwich and a side of potatoes. I've mentioned my love for Bojangles before, so it should be no surprise to you that my favorite fast food breakfast comes from that chain. It's hard to beat their Cajun Filet Biscuits with a side of Bo-Rounds. Simply put, it's fried perfection. That said, we don't have a Bojangles in Indiana, so the favorite breakfast spot for most Hoosiers is actually something far more familiar.

Indiana's Favorite Fast-Food Breakfast

According to World Population Review, Indiana's favorite spot to order a quick breakfast is none other than McDonald's. This really isn't all that shocking, considering McDonald's breakfast has been around decades longer than most of the competition. The most popular fast food breakfast spots across the United States include McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and Burger King, with Wendy's as the oddball favorite in Missouri, followed by Taco Bell in Montana.

The History of McDonald's Breakfast

According to Time Magazine, the McDonald's breakfast menu debuted in 1972. The concept began with franchisee Herb Peterson, who ran a restaurant in Santa Barbara, California. Peterson requested that McDonald's CEO Ray Kroc visit the restaurant to see something, but he refused to reveal what it was over the phone, fearing his idea might be rejected. The item in question was the Egg McMuffin, which became the foundation of the McDonald's breakfast menu.

Kroc’s wife is credited with naming the beloved breakfast sandwich, which was initially priced at just 63 cents. Over time, McDonald's added other popular breakfast items to its menu, such as the famous hotcakes in 1977. By 1981, breakfast sales accounted for about 18% of the chain's overall profits. That number has now increased to about 30% as of 2024. While other restaurants have since introduced their own breakfast offerings, McDonald's remains a fan favorite in Indiana and beyond.