McDonald’s was founded on May 15, 1940, 82 years ago in San Bernardino, California.
McDonald's Corporation was started in 1940 as a restaurant run by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, USA. They changed their business name to a hamburger stand and later made the company into a franchise with the Golden Arches logo being used for the first time in 1953 in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 1955, Ray Kroc, a businessman, joined the company as a franchise agent and subsequently purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers. McDonald's former headquarters were in Oak Brook, Illinois, but the company moved its global headquarters to Chicago in June 2018.
As of 2022, McDonald's is the biggest restaurant chain in the world. Each day, it serves over 69 million customers in over 100 countries in more than 40,000 restaurants. Rent, royalties, and fees are paid by the McDonald's Corporation's franchisees, as well as sales in company-operated restaurants.
Two reports from 2018 credit McDonald's as the world's second-largest private employer, with 1.7 million employees. McDonald's has the ninth-highest global brand valuation, as of 2020.
Who founded McDonald’s?
The first McDonald's restaurant was opened by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald at 1398 North E Street at West 14th Street in San Bernardino, California, on May 15, 1940. White Castle had put into practice the principles of the modern fast-food restaurant that the brothers introduced in 1948, but they expanded their use of the same principles in 1948.
In 1962, the Golden Arches were incorporated as McDonald's universal mascot. In 1965, Ronald McDonald was introduced as the mascot of McDonald's. The present corporation credits its founding to franchised businessman Ray Kroc on April 15, 1955.
This was, in fact, the ninth opened McDonald's restaurant overall, although this location was destroyed and rebuilt in 1984. Kroc was recorded as being an aggressive business partner, driving the McDonald brothers out of the industry.
Who was Ray Kroc?
Raymond Albert Kroc was an American businessman who was born on October 5, 1902, and died on January 14, 1984. He bought the company McDonald's in 1961 and was its CEO from 1967 to 1973. Kroc is credited with making McDonald's the most successful fast food company in the world.
Because of the company's rapid growth under Kroc, he has also been referred to as the founder of the McDonald's Corporation. He owned the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball from 1974 to 1984 after retiring from McDonald's.
FAQs
Q. When was McDonald’s founded?
A. McDonald’s was founded on May 15, 1940.
Q. How old is McDonald’s?
A. The original brand is 82 years old, while the franchise corporation was founded in 1955, making it 67 years old.
Q. Where was the first McDonald’s?
A. The first McDonald’s was located in San Bernardino, California, United States.
Q. Where is the oldest McDonald’s?
A. The oldest McDonald’s is located at 10207 Lakewood Boulevard at Florence Avenue in Downey, California.
