The world was first introduced to the now world-famous McDonald’s hamburgers and French fries on April 15, 1955, with the opening of the first McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois. Founded by Ray Kroc, McDonald’s has grown from a local burger stand to one of the world’s most recognized and beloved brands.

McDonald’s is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 local restaurants serving nearly 50 million people in more than 119 countries each day. Approximately 70 percent of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.