If the creation of the burger is attributed to the German town of Hamburg, then the first McDonald’s concept should be associated with the United States, where brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald drafted the McDonald’s concept in 1937. Their meeting with Ray Kroc, brand founder and eventual owner, gave a whole new dimension to their small business idea.
Amazed by the brothers’ performance, Ray Kroc encouraged them to develop their franchisee network. A few years and a few commercial successes later, Ray Kroc bought the company from Richard and Maurice for $2.7 million. Four years later, Kroc opened his 100th restaurant in 1960.
Ten years after the opening of its very first restaurant in Chicago, McDonald’s launches its first public stock offering.
The Filet-O-Fish sandwich was the first item added to the national menu. It was created by Lou Groen, a McDonald’s Cincinnati franchisee, to help build volume in the predominantly Roman Catholic community in which his restaurant was located.
Previously only available in the US, McDonald’s focused on expanding its network further and opened new franchised restaurants in Canada and Puerto Rico.
The Big Mac, created by owner/operator Jim Delligatti of Pittsburgh, is introduced to the McDonald’s menu.
Further testament to the success of McDonald’s is brought about by the first European franchisee in the Netherlands.
The Quarter Pounder and the Quarter Pounder with Cheese make their debut on the menu.
A new concept is introduced to the McDonald’s brand with the introduction of their first drive thru restaurant in Arizona.
The Egg McMuffin, created by owner/operator Herb Peterson of Santa Barbara, California, makes it to the national menu.
The first Happy Meal is introduced to the McDonald’s menu.
McFlurry desserts, invented by Ron McLellan, owner/operator in Canada, are added to the McDonald’s Canada menu.
The first McDonald’s Malta restaurant is warmly welcomed in Valletta.
The Big Tasty is introduced to the McDonald’s menu and launched worldwide with immediate success.
The first McHappy Day was organised as a global initiative in 2002. Since then it has been repeated every year in order to raise funds for children in need.
McDonald’s first global ad campaign, “I’m lovin’ it”, is launched in Munich, Germany, on September 2.
The first local McCafé opens in Victoria, Gozo. McDonald’s Malta begins the remodelling process of all of its local stores.
McDonald’s USA launches All-Day Breakfast.
Global McDelivery is celebrated on July 26 to support the global launch of McDelivery with UberEATS.
