McDonald’s and its franchisees employ over 1.9 million individuals. McDonald’s has approximately 35,000 establishments in more than 100 nations. Approximately 80% of establishments are franchised.
McDonald’s is based in Oak Brook, Illinois, in the United States. Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald’s in 1940 in San Bernardino, California, as a barbecue joint. In 1948, the McDonalds transformed their barbecue business into a hamburger stand. In 1955, Ray Kroc became a franchisee for the company and shortly thereafter purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers. The McDonald’s corporation, an affiliate, or a franchisee operates McDonald’s restaurants.