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1. KFC
Image via malayantiger/Reddit
In January 1973, KFC opened its first outlet in Malaysia along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman with its name spelled out, Kentucky Fried Chicken. Today, there are over 600 outlets in Malaysia alone.
But what's interesting is its menu back then, which had items including teh cina, banana split, and even beer like Carlsberg, Anchor, and Guinness Stout!
2. McDonald's
Image via WinstonMY/Reddit
McDonald's opened its first restaurant in Malaysia along Jalan Bukit Bintang on 29 April 1982 and in 1988, it opened its first drive-thru along Jalan Pahang (Titiwangsa).
Today, the Bukit Bintang outlet still stands as an iconic landmark in the heart of KL.
And yes, once upon a time, there was McDonald's McRendang! :O
Image via Lowyat.NET
Image via McDonald's/Quora
Image via McDonald's Bukit Bintang
Back then, you could get a beef burger for just $1.50 (Ringgit only replaced the dollar sign in 1993). There was also hot chocolate on the menu! Not just MILO, but HOT CHOCOLATE. \*yum\*
3. Shakey's Pizza
Image via ipohwav3
Shakey's Pizza was one of the first few international pizza brands to open in Malaysia, with crowd favourites like its mojo potatoes and crunchy, buttery garlic bread.
We couldn't find a photo of the inside of its menu, but we did find this nostalgic photo shared by a blogger in 2007 taken at its outlet in Cheras LeisureMall:
Image via chlorique 2/Reddit
Someone shared a picture of this old sign board of the Ampang outlet several years ago:
4. A&W
Image via Dish With Vivien
Image via A&W Malaysia/Pinterest
In 1963, the Lie Boff family opened the first A&W outlet in Malaysia on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. They made Malaysian history, as it was the first ever international fast food restaurant in the country.
Image via Banej/Wikipedia
You can still find many of its popular items on the menu today, like its waffles, vanilla sundae, as well as its root beer and root beer floats (now known as RB).
Here's a photo of the menu at A&W's drive-thru branch in Petaling Jaya taken by blogger, Dish With Vivien, in 2009:
5. Papa John's
Image via Zomato
Image via Zomato
Papa John's first hit Malaysian shores in 2009, brought in by Berjaya Group.
Image via klchin/Blogger
There was no official statement about its closing, however, all outlets in Malaysia have since shut down.
It served everything from pizzas, to soups, desserts, and pasta. You could also add on dipping sauces with your pizzas for RM1 each.
6. Wendy's
Image via Brand Eating
Image via Brand Eating
Wendy's first opened its outlet in Malaysia back in the 1980s. But it didn't stick around for long. It made a comeback in 2008, with outlets in Sunway Pyramid, Jaya One, and in other parts of Malaysia.
But by 2019, every outlet in Malaysia had shut down one by one.
Image via Dennis K/Foursquare
Wendy's menu certainly stood out from other fast food restaurants, with items like freshly baked potatoes and chili. It also sold ice cream cones for around RM1, as well as floats and shakes that were all under RM4.
7. Hartz Chicken Buffet
Image via Singgahsitok/Foursquare
Image via Death of Kalel/Blogger
Image via Death of Kalel/Blogger
Image via aidaacomey/Foursquare
Although all of its outlets in West Malaysia have since shut down, it still exists in East Malaysia.
This photo taken in December 2020 shows that the price has not changed too much, with the buffet costing around RM25.90 per adult:
Image via Amirul TV/Google
If you were super hungry or were in the mood for chicken, Hartz Chicken Buffet was the go-to spot offering an "all you can eat" buffet for around RM24.
You could find chicken cooked in so many different ways here!
8. Yellow Cab Pizza Co
Image via Yellow Cab Pizza (Facebook)
Based in the Philippines, Yellow Cab opened its first outlet in Malaysia along Jalan Raja Abdullah in 2008. It later opened several more outlets around Klang Valley.
Unfortunately, the business was unable to sustain itself and has since shut down its outlets in Malaysia. But it's still operating in other countries, including Singapore.
Image via Hungrygowhere Malaysia
It specialised in pizzas, but it also served hot wings, spaghetti and meatballs, among others.
9. Pizza Hut
Image via Pizza Hut (Facebook)
Pizza Hut opened its first ever outlet in Malaysia in 1982 at Plaza Yow Chuan, where Intermark Mall now stands. To date, it has around 400 outlets nationwide, and is apparently listed among the top largest food chains in Malaysia.
If you don't remember that, you might definitely recall this iconic Pizza Hut advertisement from the '90s that got stuck in all of our heads:
Image via 88razzi
Image via 88razzi
We couldn't find its old menus, but these photos definitely unlocked memories for us.
Anyone else remember how almost every outlet had a salad and soup bar island?
Or if you can remember the even older one… 755-2525! 😀
