McDonald’s history: key moments in the chain’s development
McDonald’s is the world’s most famous fast food chain. It has become synonymous with this category of products. At the same time, the brand has long transcended the scope of ordinary restaurants. McDonald’s history began with a single restaurant and the founders’ desire to make money.
Brothers Dick and Mac McDonald created the chain. After failing in the film business, they opened a restaurant for motorists. The restaurant managed to stay afloat, but that wasn’t enough for the brothers. In 1948, they adopted a new approach to organizing their business. This led to the creation of the Speedee Service System, which sold hamburgers for 15 cents. Their efforts to optimize the business yielded great results, and McDonald’s launched a franchise chain.
McCafe design
The brothers paid special attention to the design of their establishments:
1. They tasked the architect with creating a spectacular building that emphasized the Speedee concept.
2. The “Red and White” project incorporated these colors into the interior and exterior designs.
3. Initially, the roof was decorated with arches, but in the 1960s, it took on a mansard shape.
4. Yellow neon lights illuminated the arches, creating a golden glow.
As for the menu, it included nine items, including French fries, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers. Visitors could order coffee, milkshakes, and soft drinks.
Key business figures
The chain became quite popular and caught the attention of Ray Kroc in the 1950s. A multi-mixer salesman, he decided to meet with the brothers to sell them the equipment. However, the conversation took a different turn. The businessmen were looking for a franchise agent and offered him the position. Kroc opened his first McDonald’s restaurant in 1955.
His goal was to open a thousand restaurants across the United States. However, the business was growing so rapidly that one country was not enough for him. In 1967, restaurants in the chain opened in Canada and Puerto Rico. Today, the chain has more than 36,000 restaurants in over 100 countries.
Another important figure in the McDonald’s empire was Fred Turner. He started as a cashier and rose to become chairman of the board. As chief operating officer, he developed and implemented quality, service, and cleanliness standards. These standards apply to all restaurants and ensure a high level of service for customers.
Franchisees have also contributed to menu development. For instance, the Filet-O-Fish sandwich originated in a Cincinnati restaurant, and the Big Mac was invented in Pittsburgh.
Charitable activities
McDonald’s actively participates in social projects and implements initiatives aimed at supporting the community. The Ronald McDonald House project launched in Philadelphia in 1973. Fred Hill, a player on the local football team, had a child undergoing treatment for leukemia. The athlete’s family needed a place to stay close to the medical facility. This inspired the creation of a foundation that provides housing for the families of sick children. In addition to this project, McDonald’s supports other charitable programs. The company adheres to social responsibility principles and aims to achieve zero emissions.
