McDonald’s

McDonald’s is a well-known fast-food chain that began in 1940 when brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened their first restaurant in San Bernardino, California. Initially a barbecue spot, they changed it to a burger stand in 1948, introducing an assembly line approach to service that made meals quicker and cheaper.

Ray Kroc joined as a franchise agent in 1955, later buying the company and expanding it across the country and internationally. Today, McDonald’s has over 38,000 locations and serves around 70 million customers daily, offering a diverse menu that includes salads and wraps alongside classic burgers and fries.

The brand is also committed to giving back through Ronald McDonald House Charities, which support children’s health programs. McDonald’s continues to evolve, bringing customers both familiar favorites and new options while promoting its slogan, “I’m Lovin’ It.”

From its first restaurant in California to its international expansion, McDonald’s has become a symbol of fast food and a leader in the industry, continually adapting to consumer preferences while maintaining its core values. Here is a timeline of key moments in McDonald’s history.

  • 1937: McDonald brothers start a hot dog stand.
  • 1940: Open the first McDonald’s restaurant in San Bernardino, California.
  • 1948: Shift focus to hamburgers and milkshakes, creating a fast-food service model.
  • 1953: Launch the first franchise in Phoenix.
  • 1954: Ray Kroc becomes interested in franchising McDonald’s.
  • 1955: Kroc opens the first franchised restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois.
  • 1961: Kroc buys out the McDonald brothers for $2.7 million.
  • 1962-1963: Introduce the iconic golden arches and Ronald McDonald.
  • 1965: McDonald’s goes public on the New York Stock Exchange.
  • 1990: Open a restaurant in Moscow, symbolizing the end of the Cold War.
  • 2022: McDonald’s operates over 40,000 restaurants worldwide with significant profits.

Overall, McDonald’s has focused on steady growth and consistency over the years.

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