McDonald’s is the world’s largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants. Founded in the United States in 1940, the company began as a barbecue restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald. In 1948, they reorganized their business as a hamburger stand using production line principles.
Businessman Ray Kroc joined the company as a franchise agent in 1955. He subsequently purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers and oversaw its worldwide growth.
And here are vintage photos of McDonald’s since it was established till the 1980s.
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| On May 15, 1940, McDonald’s opens its first restaurant in San Bernardino, California. |
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| First McDonald’s burger stand, San Bernardino, California, 1940. |
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| McDonald Brother’s store in San Bernadino, California, 1953. |
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| The first McDonald’s fast food restaurant with its neon arches illuminated at night, Des Plaines, Illinois, 1955. |
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| McDonald’s in the 1950s. |
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| McDonald’s, ca. 1950s. |
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| Ray Kroc outside the Des Plaines, Illinois restaurant, ca. 1950s. |
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| Ray Kroc and his McDonald’s beginning, ca. 1950s. |
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| McDonald’s in Troy, New York, 1967. |
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| McDonald’s in Tacoma, WA, 1967. |
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| McDonald’s crew, 1969. |
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| McDonald’s crew in the early 1970s. |
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| McDonald’s menu during 1973. |
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| McDonald’s store, 1978. |
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| McDonald’s store, 1978. |
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| McDonald’s store, 1978. |
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| McDonald’s store, 1978. |
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| McDonald’s store, 1978. |
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| McDonald’s store, 1978. |
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| At a McDonald’s store in the 1980s. |
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| McDonald’s golden French fries, Caldwell, Idaho, 1980. |
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| McDonald’s grill crew, Caldwell, Idaho, 1980. |
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| McDonald’s grill crew, Caldwell, Idaho, 1980. |
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| McDonald’s uniforms in Caldwell, Idaho, 1981. |
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| New McDonald’s store in Caldwell, Idaho, Sept. 1980. |
