Burger fans love toppings. In fact, they love toppings so much that they pile them on their burgers and enjoy them each and every day on just about every continent (except maybe Antarctica). And while people do love toppings, they typically love fresh topping more.

But what constitutes “fresh” these days? We’re going to dig into this fresh topic (see what we did there?) so you can get a greater appreciation for truly fresh toppings and what the definition of “fresh” really is.

Believe it or not, there is currently a downward economic trend in certain regions when it comes to quick-serve, fast casual restaurants. Some are calling it a restaurant recession while others are simply seeing contracted growth over the next 3 – 12 months depending on who you ask.

But as with every economic situation, there will be winners and losers. Yes, even in tough economic times, there are winners. But what are these winners doing in the restaurant game that keeps them from feeling the impact of the overall downturn? Let’s take a look at a few examples and see, shall we?

Growth in the quick-serve, fast-casual space is very fickle. All the signs of a strong brand can be present, yet when a brand expands beyond it’s current turf, failure can be swift and fatal.

For the record, size doesn’t matter when it comes to success. There are small brands (under 500 locations) and larger brands (some with tens of thousands of locations) that have seem amazing and profitable growth. An each brand has a different approach to how it works with franchisees. Chick-fil-A as an example has a rule where operators my only have one location whereas others encourage multiple units.

For decades, Dairy Queen has been known for its quality desserts. The brand’s soft-serve ice cream has been a staple in the United States for decades and is a beloved treat on hot summer days (and even on winter days if you live in the right climate.) But as with most companies, Dairy Queen has seen a tremendous opportunity for growth by adding to their menu in a way that makes them more versatile.

When it comes to hamburgers, there are two main groups of people out there: Those who like a traditional burger with traditional toppings that they can recognize, pronounce and, most importantly, enjoy. Then there is the second camp of burger fans who enjoy the crazy. The fun. The off-the-wall. These are the people who seek out new burger flavors and enjoy every last bite even if they don’t fully understand exactly what it is they’re eating.

For that second group, today’s post is for you. We’re going to dig into five wacky burgers that are actually available in U.S. restaurants.