What was McDonald’s first franchised restaurant location, opened in 1953?

McDonald’s first franchised restaurant location opened in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1953.

Franchisee Neil Fox opened the restaurant after receiving permission from McDonald’s founders Richard and Maurice McDonald. It is associated with the first use of the distinctive Golden Arches on a McDonald’s building.

The Phoenix location helped establish the franchising model that allowed the company to expand beyond its original California restaurants. Ray Kroc later developed that model on a much larger scale after becoming the company’s national franchise agent.

A frequent mix-up involves Des Plaines, Illinois, the location of Kroc’s first McDonald’s restaurant, opened in 1955. Phoenix came earlier and is recognized as the first franchised McDonald’s location.