McDonald's Celebrates 50 Years

Friday, 15 Apr 2005 | Food, Restaurants

Today marks 50 years since the first McDonald's was opened by Ray Kroc in Des Plaines, Illinois on April 15th, 1955. I never realized that Disneyland and McDonald's have been around almost exactly the same amount of time. Disneyland's 50th is coming up in 93 days on July 17th.

Richard and Maurice McDonald were pioneers of McDonald's and the quick service restaurant industry. Ray Kroc was the founder of McDonald's Corporation. McDonald's success today is rooted in the work of all three.

Richard and Maurice McDonald converted their barbecue drive-in with car hops into the world's first McDonald's limited-menu, self-service, drive-in in 1948, in San Bernardino, California.

In 1954, Ray Kroc was granted exclusive U.S. franchising rights by the brothers. He opened his first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois in April 1955, and founded the company that evolved into McDonald's Corporation, with more than 28,000 McDonald's restaurants in 119 countries.

To celebrate, McDonald's will be opening a new flagship restaurant in Chicago, Illinois featuring 60-foot-high Golden Arches, a double-lane drive-thru, seating for 300, historical displays and stunning views of Chicago's skyline.

Comments

Janet Willard said at 10:08 PM on Friday, April 15, 2005

Gee, I will be 50 next Friday . . . 1955 was a very good year!

Waiting to see Taffy's picture this week, she is a real cutie!

disneymike said at 11:14 PM on Friday, April 15, 2005

Happy early birthday to you! I'll be posting Taffy's new picture of the week sometime tomorrow, most likely. :)

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