Yahoo Finance McDonald's history: Beyond the Ticker
With over 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries, McDonald's (MCD) is a global icon in the fast food industry. In 2023, McDonald's generated over $25 billion dollars in revenue, up nearly 10% compared to the year before.
Let's dive into the company's biggest moments with Beyond the Ticker.
1940
The McDonald's brothers, Dick and Maurice, opened the first McDonald's restaurant on May 15, 1940, in San Bernardino, California.
1954-1955
Ray Kroc purchased the rights to franchise McDonald’s and opened the first franchised restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois.
1955-1965
Kroc bought the brothers out, then developed its current model of owning the real estate that McDonald’s franchise locations are on.
1965
In April 1965, McDonald's went public via an initial public offering at $22.50 per share.
1972
McDonald's hit a milestone – generating $1 billion in sales.
1990
The first McDonald's restaurant opened in the Soviet Union in Pushkin Square, Moscow, marking a symbolic moment of the Cold War, serving thousands of customers.
2003
In the early 2000s, the thriving food chain was met with competition and tragedy.
Former executive James Cantalupo came out of retirement to lead the company, but in 2004 he suddenly passed away after 16 months at the helm.
2004
Life-long McDonald’s employee Charlie Bell was named CEO but tragically passed away from cancer shortly after.
Amid the two tragedies, the movie Super Size Me took off - resulting in McDonald’s getting rid of the Super Size option.
2005-2012
Jim Skinner served as CEO, taking the company through the Great Financial Recession.
2012-2015
Don Thompson served as CEO, then retired as he faced pressure over declining sales.
2015
Steve Easterbrook then took the top seat, and in an attempt to reinvigorate its brand, McDonald's launched its all-day breakfast menu.
Soon after, Easterbrook was fired for having an “inappropriate personal relationship” with an employee, according to the SEC.
2019
US president Chris Kempcinski was promoted to CEO, taking the company through the Covid-19 pandemic.
2023
McDonald's continues to expand and evolve, with its latest concept, CosMc's, a drive-thru-only restaurant featuring McCafe products, beverages, and treats.
From a single restaurant to billions and billions served, McDonald's aims to hold its top spot as the quintessential American fast food chain.
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Editor's note: This video was produced by Zach Faulds.
Video Transcript
[AUDIO LOGO]
- Big Macs, McNuggets, the Egg McMuffin, the golden arches, with over 38,000 locations in more than 100 countries, McDonald's is a global icon in the fast food industry. In 2023, McDonald's generated over $25 billion in revenue. Let's dive into the company's biggest moments With Beyond the Ticker.
The McDonald's brothers, Dick and Maurice, opened the first McDonald's location on May 15, 1940 in San Bernardino, California. In 1954, Ray Kroc purchased the rights to franchise McDonald's and opened the first franchise restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955. Over the next 10 years, Kroc bought the brothers out then developed its current model of owning the real estate that McDonald's franchised locations are on.
In April, 1965, McDonald's went public via an initial public offering at $22.50 per share. And in 1972, McDonald's hit a milestone generating $1 billion in sales. In early 1990, the first McDonald's restaurant opened in the Soviet Union in Pushkinskaya Square, Moscow marking a symbolic moment of the Cold War serving thousands of customers.
In the early 2000s, the thriving fast food chain was then met with competition and tragedy. Former executive James Cantalupo came out of retirement to lead the company, but in 2004, he suddenly passed away after just 16 months at the helm.
Lifelong McDonald's employee Charlie Bell was named CEO but tragically passed away from cancer shortly after. In the middle of the two tragedies, the movie "Super Size Me" took off resulting in McDonald's getting rid of that super sized option. From 2005 to 2012,
Jim Skinner served as CEO taking the company through the great financial recession. Don Thompson was CEO from 2012 to 2015 but then retired as he faced pressure over declining sales. Steve Easterbrook then took the top seat. And in an attempt to reinvigorate the brand, McDonald's launched its all day breakfast menu in 2015.
Soon after, Easterbrook was fired for having an quote, "inappropriate personal relationship with an employee" according to the SEC. US President Chris Kempczinski was then promoted to CEO taking the company through the COVID 19 pandemic.
And McDonald's continues to expand and evolve with its latest concept CosMc's, a drive-thru only restaurant featuring McCafé products, beverages, and treats. From a single restaurant to billions and billions served McDonald's aims to hold its top spot as the quintessential American fast food chain.
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