What was the name of McDonald's service system introduced by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1948?

Richard and Maurice McDonald introduced the Speedee Service System in 1948.

The system reorganized their San Bernardino restaurant around speed, consistency, and a limited menu. Instead of relying on traditional carhop service and a large selection of foods, the brothers designed a production line in which workers performed specialized tasks. Customers received hamburgers, fries, and drinks quickly through a simplified service process.

The system became a foundation of McDonald’s later franchise model. Standardized procedures made it easier for different restaurants to produce similar food and offer a more predictable customer experience. The name “Speedee” also appeared in early McDonald’s branding, including the original mascot.

It is often confused with the modern term “fast food,” which describes a broad industry rather than this specific McDonald’s operating method. The Speedee Service System was an identifiable 1948 innovation associated with the McDonald brothers’ restaurant redesign.