What phrase appears in the McDonald’s corporate name formed after Ray Kroc bought the company in 1961?

The corporate name formed after Ray Kroc bought the McDonald brothers’ business in 1961 was McDonald’s Corporation.

Ray Kroc had become the company’s national franchising agent after meeting Richard and Maurice McDonald. In 1961, he purchased the business rights and related assets from the brothers, allowing the organization to expand under his leadership.

The corporate name preserved the McDonald family name while separating the company’s legal identity from the names of the two founding brothers. That distinction matters because Kroc became the leading force behind nationwide and later international expansion, even though the original restaurant concept came from Richard and Maurice McDonald.

The apostrophe in “McDonald’s” is part of the familiar brand name, while “Corporation” identifies the legal corporate entity. Restaurants, trademarks, slogans, and menu items can all use the McDonald’s brand without being the corporation’s formal name.