What corporate name did McDonald’s adopt in 1960 when its business expanded beyond the original restaurant?

McDonald’s adopted the corporate name McDonald’s Corporation in 1960.

The name reflected the transition from a small restaurant operation into a growing franchise business. Ray Kroc had joined the McDonald brothers’ operation as a franchise agent and pushed the system toward standardized expansion. As more restaurants opened, the business required a corporate structure suited to franchising, real estate, supply relationships, and national marketing.

The corporate name is distinct from the informal name customers use for individual restaurants. McDonald’s Corporation refers to the company responsible for the broader business, while a local franchise restaurant may be owned and operated by an independent franchisee under license.

The 1960 change occurred before McDonald’s became a global fast-food giant. It belongs to the early expansion era, when consistent restaurant design, recognizable arches, standardized menus, and coordinated advertising were turning the McDonald name into a national brand.