Founding of McDonald's Corporation

Date: April 15, 1955 • Location: Des Plaines, United States

American restaurateur Ray Kroc opened the ninth McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois, an occasion considered to be the founding of the present corporation.

Raymond Albert Kroc was an American businessman who was instrumental in turning McDonald's into the most successful global fast food corporation by revenue. He purchased the brand from the McDonald brothers in 1961, after several years as their franchising agent, and served as the leader of the company until his death.