Ray Kroc Biography | American Entrepreneur and McDonald's Founder

Raymond Albert Kroc

Born: October 5,1902
Died: January 14, 1984
Place of Birth: Oak Park, Illinois

Major Notes:

Ray Kroc was working as a cup salesman when he conceived the idea of McDonald's Restaurants.
He acquired the right to sell a special milkshake mixer across the United States.
In 1954, Ray Kroc was checking out a restaurant owned by two McDonald brothers, which was using several of his milkshake mixes.
He was impressed by the restaurant's limited menu, assembly line production methods, and cheap prices.
Kroc suggested to the McDonalds that they franchise out their business through him.
He set up his first McDonald's in 1955 in Chicago.
Ray Kroc continued setting up McDonald's franchises until 1961 when he bought out the McDonald brothers.
He now could plan, organize, and use his restaurants as he wished.
By 1963, McDonald's was a chain of 500 franchises and almost an industry in itself.
Kroc emphasized cleanliness in his restaurants along with good working habits for his employees.
At the time of his death, Ray Kroc had built McDonald's up to a chain of 7500 restaurants in 114 countries.

For detailed research and more information, check out the following: Wiley TIME Infoplease The Biography Channel McDonald's History Buzzle.com Please report any broken or incorrect links above to:
deejay@rogers.com

BACK HOME PAGE