The McDonald’s Corporation name was adopted in 1960.
The company’s corporate history began with the McDonald brothers’ restaurant business in San Bernardino, California. Ray Kroc later became the force behind national expansion after becoming the brothers’ franchise agent. The business structure and name changed as the operation moved from a small restaurant chain toward a large corporation.
In 1955, Kroc established McDonald’s System, Inc. to support the franchise operation. The company adopted the name McDonald’s Corporation in 1960, a change that reflected the growing importance of the McDonald’s brand and business network.
This date is separate from the opening of the first McDonald’s restaurant and from the introduction of later branding elements. The corporation’s name change occurred during the chain’s rapid expansion across the United States.