McDonald’s is one of the largest global fast-food companies with 43,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. The chain was founded in 1940 by Maurice and Richard McDonald as a drive-thru concept before the siblings reenvisioned the restaurant as a low-cost food option later that decade. In 1954 Ray Kroc discovered the business and in 1955 launched McDonald’s System Inc., later known as the McDonald’s Corp., before buying the business in 1961. McDonald’s launched beverage-focused concept CosMc’s in December 2023, but announced in May 2025 it would close its five remaining locations.
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