Richard and Maurice McDonald were American entrepreneurs and brothers who founded the McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain
Born in New Hampshire in the early 20th century, they moved to California and opened a small drive-in restaurant in 1937
However, it was not until 1940 that they developed the concept of the Speedee Service System, which streamlined the food preparation process and allowed for quick service
Their restaurant, known as McDonald's Bar-B-Q, became immensely popular, and the brothers decided to focus solely on hamburgers and fries, eventually renaming it McDonald's
In 1954, they met Ray Kroc, a multi-mixer milkshake machine salesman who saw the potential for franchising their brand
By 1955, Kroc formed a partnership with the McDonald brothers and became the driving force behind the expansion of the McDonald's brand
However, disagreements arose between the McDonald brothers and Kroc, mainly regarding control and the direction of the company
In 1961, they agreed to sell their business rights and the original San Bernardino location to Kroc for $2.7 million
Despite the sale, the brothers retained the rights to the original restaurant and opened a new one in 1962
Richard McDonald retired after the sale, while Maurice continued to manage the original restaurant until it was dismantled in 1972
Both brothers lived relatively quiet lives after their McDonald's journey, with Richard passing away in 1998 and Maurice in 2002
Richard and Maurice McDonald's impact on the fast-food industry was significant
Their innovative ideas, such as the assembly line-like system, shaped the future of fast food and laid the foundation for the McDonald's empire
Today, there are thousands of McDonald's locations worldwide, making it one of the most recognizable and successful fast-food chains in the world.
Their restaurant, known as McDonald's Bar-B-Q, became immensely popular, and the brothers decided to focus solely on hamburgers and fries, eventually renaming it McDonald's. In 1954, they met Ray Kroc, a multi-mixer milkshake machine salesman who saw the potential for franchising their brand. By 1955, Kroc formed a partnership with the McDonald brothers and became the driving force behind the expansion of the McDonald's brand. However, disagreements arose between the McDonald brothers and Kroc, mainly regarding control and the direction of the company. In 1961, they agreed to sell their business rights and the original San Bernardino location to Kroc for $2. 7 million. Despite the sale, the brothers retained the rights to the original restaurant and opened a new one in 1962. Richard McDonald retired after the sale, while Maurice continued to manage the original restaurant until it was dismantled in 1972. Both brothers lived relatively quiet lives after their McDonald's journey, with Richard passing away in 1998 and Maurice in 2002. Richard and Maurice McDonald's impact on the fast-food industry was significant. Their innovative ideas, such as the assembly line-like system, shaped the future of fast food and laid the foundation for the McDonald's empire. Today, there are thousands of McDonald's locations worldwide, making it one of the most recognizable and successful fast-food chains in the world.