The McDonald Brothers opened the first McDonald's in 1940 in San Bernardino, California.
The first location still exists…sort of
In San Bernardino, Ronald and Maurice McDonald opened their first restaurant at 1398 North E Street at West 14th Street.
Ray Kroc’s was 52 when he discovered McDonald’s
Kroc met the restaurant in 1954 at 52, launched his first site in Des Plaines, Illinois at 53, and bought the firm at 59.
Ray Kroc had a very famous friend
Ray Kroc approached a prominent acquaintance for business when he started franchising McDonald's.
Religion is the reason for the Filet-O-Fish
After losing revenue during lent, when many Catholics fast on Fridays, a Cincinnati franchisee invented a new sandwich.
McDonald’s is the largest restaurant chain
Their website says they have “more than 36,000 locations in more than 100 countries,” but more likely 40,000.
Only four African countries have McDonald’s
Fewer than 400 of the 40,000 locations worldwide are in Africa. Africa has 54 countries, however only Egypt, Mauritania, Morocco, and South Africa have McDonald's.
Different colored arches exist
This includes white arches in Paris, turquoise arches in the Arizona city of Sedona, black arches in the California city of Monterey, and red arches in Rockland, California.