The bacon cheeseburger has become an iconic menu item that combines two quintessential American foods – cheeseburgers and bacon That savory blend of juicy beef, melted cheese and smoky, crispy bacon is loved by many But who first invented the brilliant bacon cheeseburger combination?
It may come as a surprise that we can trace the origins of the first-ever bacon cheeseburger to Michigan in the early 1960s. This now-classic sandwich was created not by a chef, but by a fast food franchise owner looking to boost sales.
In this article, we’ll uncover the fascinating history of how the bacon cheeseburger was invented in Michigan We’ll learn about the restaurant pioneer who first topped burgers with bacon, why he did it, and how it transformed American cuisine.
So grab some napkins and let’s dive into the tasty story behind one of America’s most crave-worthy comfort foods.
Early Burgers and Bacons
To appreciate how revolutionary the bacon cheeseburger was, let’s first look at the histories of the burger and bacon separately. Hamburgers likely originated in the late 1800s or early 1900s from German immigrants in America. Ground beef patties were served on buns and became popular fair food.
Bacon had been around for centuries, with origins tracing back to China in 1500 BCE America’s bacon history began when Hernando de Soto brought pigs to Florida in 1539 Bacon grew popular in the colonies as a cured pork belly product.
Cheese was added to burgers in the 1920s when a teenage chef slapped a slice of American cheese onto a burger patty. Melty cheeseburgers grew in popularity over the coming decades.
So the building blocks were all there – tasty burgers, savory bacon, melty cheese. But no one had yet combined all three ingredients onto one extraordinary sandwich. That was about to change.
Birth of the Bacon Cheeseburger
In the early 1960s, Michigan businessman Dave Mulder ran an A&W franchise restaurant in Lansing, MI. He came up with a brilliant idea to boost his slumping sales – top his cheeseburgers with crispy bacon strips.
This inventive new menu item combined the classic cheeseburger with smoky, salty bacon flavor. The bacon added alluring texture and crunch too. It was love at first bite for customers in 1963 when the “bacon cheeseburger” was born!
Mulder’s creation resonated with people craving new twists on traditional American comfort foods amidst the conformity of the 1950s. The uniqueness and indulgence of the bacon cheeseburger made it an instant hit.
Soon bacon cheeseburgers were being gobbled up at A&W restaurants across Michigan. Hungry diners couldn’t resist the mouthwatering blend of flavors and textures in each tasty bite.
Rise of the Bacon Cheeseburger
Seeing the success of Mulder’s creation, other restaurants quickly jumped on the bandwagon. By the late 1960s, bacon cheeseburgers were spreading from coast to coast on menus everywhere.
The sandwich became a signature menu item at burger joints and diners. Customers couldn’t seem to get enough of the salty, smoky bacon paired with rich, melted cheese and juicy beef.
Some credit McDonald’s with introducing bacon cheeseburgers nationwide in the early 1970s. But it was Mulder’s original bacon topped creation in Michigan that started the craze.
In the 1980s and 90s, bacon cheeseburgers starring in TV ads and movies cemented their status as a cultural icon. They embodied the American spirit – big, bold, and unapologetically indulgent.
Why the Bacon Cheeseburger Became So Popular
There are several reasons why the bacon cheeseburger became so wildly popular after its invention:
-
Unique taste combination – The mixture of smoky bacon, savory beef, melted cheese and condiments tasted incredible to people. No one had experienced those flavors together in one sandwich before.
-
Texture contrast – Crispy strips of salty bacon added appealing crunch and texture against the soft bun, juicy patty and melted cheese.
-
Craveworthy indulgence – It felt naughty and deeply satisfying to bite into a bacon cheeseburger oozing with flavor. Customers craved that sensory experience again and again.
-
Comfort food appeal – The sandwich tapped into people’s desire for filling, protein-rich comfort foods. Its indulgence provided momentary escape from everyday stresses.
-
Convenience – No need to fry up bacon at home – you could now get hot ready-to-eat bacon cheeseburgers served up fast.
The bacon cheeseburger checked all the boxes for taste, texture, cravings, and convenience. America was hooked!
The Evolution of the Bacon Cheeseburger
Since its invention in the 60s, the basic bacon cheeseburger concept has spawned many variations:
-
Double Bacon Cheeseburgers – More bacon, more beef, more cheese – an extra decadent version.
-
Baconator – Wendy’s monster burger with piles of bacon front and center.
-
A1 Bacon Cheeseburger – Bacon cheeseburger slathered in zesty A1 steak sauce.
-
Jalapeño Bacon Cheeseburger – Spicy twist with pickled jalapeños.
-
Mushroom Bacon Cheeseburger – Earthy mushrooms join the party.
-
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger – Sweet and sticky barbecue sauce replaces ketchup.
And bacon cheeseburgers went upscale too at restaurants like Applebee’s, Chili’s and Red Robin. The basic concept Morphed into gourmet incarnations with premium ingredients.
Yet despite all the variations, the classic bacon cheeseburger remain America’s favorite – simple, nostalgic, craveable perfection.
Celebrating a Brilliant Invention
So there you have the fascinating story of how the bacon cheeseburger came to be in Michigan in the 1960s. One man’s innovative idea ended up transforming America’s culinary landscape forever.
That savory marriage of bacon and cheeseburger continues to be adored more than 50 years after its invention. We have Dave Mulder and A&W in Lansing, MI to thank for this enduringly delicious classic.
The next time you bite into a hot, juicy bacon cheeseburger and taste smoky, salty bacon mingling with beef and melted cheese, appreciate the tasty bit of history in your hands. And thank Mr. Mulder for his appetite-inspiring creation that we just can’t get enough of!
Burger created at Lansing A&WPublished:
LANSING, Mich. – It was an addition that changed an already delicious food forever — bacon on a cheeseburger.
You can find bacon cheeseburgers on a lot of menus these days, but did you know that the first one was made in Lansing, Michigan?
A&W Chairman Dave Mulder opened a franchise in Lansing in 1961.
The restaurant was on U. S. 16, an area people had to pass through to get between Detroit and Grand Rapids. But the construction of I-96 hurt the business because potential customers were now bypassing the area.
One day, Mulder looked at a cheeseburger and had an idea.
“I thought it absolutely (would) be better with bacon,” Mulder said.
So, in 1963, the bacon cheeseburger was born, forever changing burgers.
“A bacon burger became a big item in the restaurant business,” Mulder said. “And everyone else stole it from us. “.
Some people aren’t sure where the bacon cheeseburger came from, but Mulder said he knows where it came from.
“Thats OK, they can believe what they want,” Mulder said.
Did you know the bacon cheeseburger was invented in Michigan?
Who invented the bacon + cheeseburger combo?
Lexington, KY-based agency Cornett was amazed to discover that the famous bacon + cheeseburger combo was invented not by either of the biggest burger joints in the U.S., but rather A&W Restaurants. So it decided to use that priceless bit of company history in its promotion for the 95-year-old chain’s chairman Dale Mulder in this offbeat video.
Where did the bacon cheeseburger come from?
The birthplace of the bacon cheeseburger, A&W in Lansing. One day, Mulder looked at a cheeseburger and had an idea. “I thought it absolutely (would) be better with bacon,” Mulder said. So, in 1963, the bacon cheeseburger was born, forever changing burgers. “A bacon burger became a big item in the restaurant business,” Mulder said.
When did bacon cheeseburgers come out?
The story goes that Dale Mulder, Michigan A&W owner, became the first person to offer bacon cheeseburgers on a restaurant menu when he debuted them in 1963. Thrillist notes that, while this seems like it would be too late in the game for someone to finally offer a bacon cheeseburger, the addition was reported in the local news in the 1960s.
Did you know the first bacon cheeseburger was made in Lansing?
LANSING, Mich. – It was an addition that changed an already delicious food forever — bacon on a cheeseburger. It’s now fairly common to see bacon cheeseburgers on menus, but did you know the first bacon cheeseburger can be traced back to Lansing, Michigan? A&W Chairman Dave Mulder opened a franchise in Lansing in 1961.
Should A&W be famous for inventing the bacon cheeseburger?
“The creative revolved around the idea that A&W ‘should be famous’ for inventing the Bacon Cheeseburger, because frankly, they should,” said Cornett copywriter Jason Majewski.
What is a bacon cheeseburger?
America’s favorites are better together. Our Bacon Cheeseburger pizza comes with real beef, cheese made from mozzarella, fresh cut Roma tomatoes, hickory-smoked bacon, pickles and Papa’s signature burger sauce all on our fresh hand tossed crust. Order yours today!