WGH loves the McDonald’s story. From two brothers who could pump out the burgers en-mass and a Chicago paper-cup salesman who saw something in the brother’s business. Like McDoo’s or loathe them, this sure is one inspirational story.

Raymond Albert Kroc (1902-1984) was a salesman who set up the first franchise of the McDonald brothers’ drive-in restaurant. He bought the golden arches symbol from them and built the McDonald’s chain based on the concepts of a limited menu of controlled quality and uniformity combined with massive advertising.

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Richard and Maurice (Dick and Mac) McDonald opened their self-service restaurant in 1948 in San Bernardino, Calif. In 1954, they made a franchise deal with Ray Kroc (who later cleaned-up) and the worldwide McDonald’s chain was born.
Photo: McDonald’s Corp.

McDonald’s Turns 50

Quick — name five McDonald’s jingles or slogans from years past! If you can do this in under thirty seconds, you quickly gain an appreciation for the impact that the fast food chain has had on our economy and culture.

This week’s Friday diversion celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Golden Arches. This week in 1955, enterpreneur Ray Kroc became a franchisee of a new hamburger chain in California run by two brothers named McDonald… and the rest is history.

Real good and still only 15cents - not!

The following are highlights of some of the key moments in McDonald’s history:

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