The second biggest burger chain in the world, Burger King – and its cardboard crowns – are the stuff of legend. Having started from scratch in the 1950s, Burger King was already the third biggest fast food chain in the world by the 1970s, and today it has around 20,000 locations globally. But how did a low-key Florida burger joint get so big? Here, we take a look at the rise of Burger King, from one small restaurant to fast food royalty.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover how Burger King became the iconic chain we know and love today.