McDonald's Corp

McDonald's Corporation, commonly referred to as McDonald's, is an American multinational fast food chain. As of 2024, it ranks as the second largest globally by the number of locations, only behind the Chinese chain Mixue Ice Cream & Tea.

Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, McDonald's began as a hamburger stand and quickly moved to franchise the concept. The iconic Golden Arches logo was introduced in 1953. In 1955, businessman Ray Kroc became a franchise agent for McDonald's and purchased the company in 1961. Since then, the chain has extended its reach internationally. Today, McDonald's boasts over 50,000 restaurant locations worldwide, with approximately a quarter of them situated in the U.S.

In addition to food sales, McDonald's earns revenue by owning 70% of its restaurant buildings and 45% of the underlying land. As of 2018, McDonald's was the world's second-largest private employer with 1.7 million employees, following Walmart, most of whom are employed at franchise locations.

Among McDonald's bestselling licensed items are its French fries and Big Mac hamburgers, while the menu also features cheeseburgers, chicken, fish, fruit, and salads. The company has faced criticism regarding food nutrition, animal welfare, and low wages for workers.