[1] The enterprise was founded in 1971 by four young Californians residing in Spain (Mark Brownstein, Douglas Delfeld and the brothers Anthony B. and Stephen A. Unger) all of whom were directly connected to filmmaking and missed authentic American food.

[2] A reporter for The New York Times wrote in his review of the establishment that you could probably eat there “the best fried battered onion rings in the world.”[2][3] The first restaurant was an immediate success.

“As many as 150 Spaniards and tourists alike wait patiently for the maitre d’s signal while an equal number jam the cavernous hamburger haven.” The article continued, “What inspired the California quartet to gamble $1 million on burgers and french fries?

There is a rustic essence with emphasis upon wooden furniture while, on the tables, the chain uses glassware and dishes faithful to American style and its paperware has personalized graphics highlighting promotions and menu specials.

[10] The menu includes Tex-Mex cuisine, roasted ribs, steaks, sandwiches, fresh salads and — as the emblematic and iconic dish for which the chain was established and became famous — hamburgers cooked on the barbecue.