Today, fast food restaurant chains are widespread around the world, but this phenomenon is not new. In the Russian Empire, there was a similar chain, the German restaurants 'Quisisana', which translates from Italian as 'here one recovers'. Founded in 1895 in Berlin, this chain soon spread to cities in Europe and the USA, offering signature sandwiches.

The first restaurant of this type in Russia opened in 1902 in St. Petersburg on Nevsky Prospect. Soon, similar establishments appeared in Moscow, Odessa, Kiev, and other major cities. The owners of the company tried to take national characteristics into account, offering in Russia sandwiches not only with salmon, cheese, and ham, but also with sprats, herring, as well as a mix of cheese, boiled eggs, and green onions. Prices for these dishes ranged from 10 to 20 kopecks.

A feature of the restaurants was a mechanical buffet that automatically dispensed products. Poetess Olga Vakshel recalled that for the spectacle of the machine's operation, she ate many sandwiches and persuaded others to do the same.

The 'Quisisana' menu was not limited to sandwiches. Visitors were offered light snacks, salads, cutlets, pies, as well as tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, including mulled wine. A glass of hot drink cost 20 kopecks.

These establishments were popular for a quick and inexpensive snack, especially among gymnasium students and university students. The 'Quisisana' chain existed in Russia until 1917 when it was closed due to well-known historical events. In other countries, these restaurants also did not survive the 20th century, giving way to new global food service chains.