McDonald’s opened its first franchised restaurant under Ray Kroc’s leadership in 1955.
The restaurant opened in Des Plaines, Illinois, on April 15, 1955. It was operated by Kroc and became an important model for the standardized McDonald’s system. Kroc had become involved with Richard and Maurice McDonald after learning about their highly efficient San Bernardino restaurant.
The brothers had already developed the Speedee Service System, but Kroc expanded the business through franchising. The Des Plaines location helped establish the recognizable restaurant format, operating procedures, menu presentation, and visual identity associated with the growing chain.
This date is sometimes confused with 1940, when the McDonald brothers opened their first restaurant in San Bernardino, or 1954, when Kroc became involved with the company. Those events were important, but 1955 marks Kroc’s first franchised McDonald’s restaurant.