⏰ when

When did the first McDonald’s open?

fast foodbusiness

Quick Answer

Brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened their first restaurant in San Bernardino, California, on 15 May 1940.

The Full Story

The McDonald brothers began with a barbecue drive-in in San Bernardino in 1940. In 1948 they redesigned it around a short menu and a fast assembly-line kitchen called the Speedee Service System, selling hamburgers for 15 cents. Milkshake-machine salesman Ray Kroc visited in 1954 and was amazed by the speed. He opened his first McDonald’s franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois, on 15 April 1955, and in 1961 he bought the brothers out for $2.7 million. McDonald’s now has roughly 40,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.

Key Facts

1.First restaurant opened on 15 May 1940
2.Hamburgers cost 15 cents in 1948
3.Ray Kroc bought the brothers out in 1961

YouTube Angle

Suggested video title for this topic:

"The two brothers who invented fast food — and lost their name"