The history of McDonald's

1940
The story begins with the opening of a small drive-in restaurant called "McDonald's Bar-B-Q"
in San Bernardino, California, by brothers Richard "Dick" and Maurice "Mac" McDonald.
They primarily sold barbecue food.

Speedee Service System

The McDonald brothers revamped their restaurant's menu and operations, focusing on a
limited selection of items, speed, and efficiency. They coined the term "Speedee Service
System."

1954

Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman, visited the original McDonald's restaurant.
Impressed by its efficiency and potential, he partnered with the McDonald brothers to
franchise their concept.

1955: The First Franchise

• The first franchised McDonald's restaurant opened in Des Plaines, Illinois, on April 15,
1955.
• This date is considered the official birth of McDonald's Corporation.

Cultural Significance

McDonald's is a globally recognized brand that has had a profound impact on popular
culture.

Understanding its history provides insights into how fast food and consumer culture have
evolved over time.

Economic Impact

McDonald's is a major player in the global economy, with thousands of restaurants

worldwide.
Analysing its economic contributions, including job creation, supply chain dynamics, and
market influence, is essential for understanding its broader economic impact.

Marketing and Branding

McDonald's is renowned for its marketing campaigns, including the iconic Golden Arches
logo.

The company's marketing strategies offer valuable lessons in branding and advertising.

Company's iconic clown mascot

Sustainability and Responsibility

McDonald's has faced various challenges related to sustainability, responsible business

practices, and social responsibility.

Analyzsing its history allows for discussions about corporate social responsibility and
sustainability in the context of a large multinational corporation.

McDonald's has faced various challenges related to sustainability, responsible business

practices, and social responsibility.

Analyzsing its history allows for discussions about corporate social responsibility and
sustainability in the context of a large multinational corporation.

Legal and Ethical Issues

McDonald's has encountered legal and ethical challenges over the years, including lawsuits
related to issues like food safety and labour practices. These cases offer opportunities to
study the legal and ethical dimensions of business.

Hot Coffee Lawsuit (1994)

"McDonald's hot coffee case" involved a customer, Stella Liebeck, who suffered severe burns
from hot coffee purchased at a McDonald's drive thru. She sued McDonald's, alleging that
the coffee was unreasonably hot. The case resulted in a jury awarding her millions of dollars
in damages, although the final settlement amount was much lower.

Obesity and Health-Related Lawsuits

Various lawsuits have claimed that McDonald's food contributes to health problems like
obesity and heart disease. While many of these lawsuits have not been successful, they have
drawn attention to the debate over fast food and health.

Labour and Employment Disputes

McDonald's has been involved in legal battles related to labour and employment practices.
These include lawsuits over wage and hour violations, allegations of employee mistreatment
and disputes over the classification of franchise workers as employees or independent
contractors.

Why the happy meal at McDonalds' is not happy?

The nutritional content of Happy Meals, particularly in the past, has been a source of
concern.
Many Happy Meals included high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sugar items, such as
burgers, fries, sugary drinks, and desserts.
These options raised concerns about their contribution to childhood obesity and
related health issues.
McDonalds and other fast-food chains have been criticized for marketing directly to
children through Happy Meal promotions,
toys, and characters like Ronald McDonald.
Critics argue that these marketing tactics can influence children's food preferences
and encourage unhealthy eating habits.
Happy Meals often come with toys or promotional items that are appealing to
children.
Some have criticized the use of toys to lure children into choosing less nutritious
meal options.
This has led to calls for restrictions on including toys with high-calorie or unhealthy
meals.
In response to criticism and changing dietary recommendations, McDonald's has
made efforts to improve the nutritional quality of Happy Meals.
These changes have included offering healthier sides like apple slices and milk,
reducing the calorie count, and limiting the use of artificial flavors and preservatives.