<Ul> <Li> view </Li> <Li> talk </Li> <Li> edit </Li> </Ul> <P> McDonald's was founded in 1940 as a restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald, in San Bernardino, California, USA . They rechristened their business as a hamburger stand . The first time a McDonald's franchise used the Golden Arches logo was in 1953 at the opening of Phoenix, Arizona, USA . In 1955, Ray Kroc, a businessman, joined the company as a franchise agent and proceeded to purchase the chain from the McDonald brothers . McDonald's had its original headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois, but has approved plans to move its global headquarters to Chicago by 2018 . </P> <P> McDonald's is the world's largest restaurant chain by revenue, serving over 69 million customers daily in over 100 countries across approximately 36,900 outlets as of 2016 . Although McDonald's is known for its hamburgers, they also sell cheeseburgers, chicken products, french fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, milkshakes, wraps, and desserts . In response to changing consumer tastes and a negative backlash because of the unhealthiness of their food, the company has added to its menu salads, fish, smoothies, and fruit . The McDonald's Corporation revenues come from the rent, royalties, and fees paid by the franchisees, as well as sales in company - operated restaurants . According to a BBC report published in 2012, McDonald's is the world's second largest private employer (behind Walmart with 1.9 million employees), 1.5 million of whom work for franchises . </P> <P> The siblings Richard and Maurice McDonald opened in 1940 the first McDonald's at 1398 North E Street at West 14th Street in San Bernardino, California (at 34 ° 07 ′ 32" N 117 ° 17 ′ 41" W ﻿ / ﻿ 34.1255 ° N 117.2946 ° W ﻿ / 34.1255; - 117.2946) but it was not the McDonald's recognizable today; Ray Kroc made changes to the brothers business that modernized it . The brothers introduced the "Speedee Service System" in 1948 established the principles of the modern fast - food restaurant that their predecessor White Castle had put into practice more than two decades earlier. . The original mascot of McDonald's was a chef hat on top of a hamburger who was referred to as "Speedee". In 1962, the Golden Arches replaced Speedee as the universal mascot . The symbol, Ronald McDonald, was introduced in 1965 . The clown, Ronald McDonald, appeared in advertising to target their audience of children . </P>

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