Which city opened the first McDonald’s restaurant franchised by Ray Kroc?

Des Plaines, Illinois, opened the first McDonald’s restaurant franchised by Ray Kroc.

Kroc opened the restaurant in 1955 after becoming interested in the McDonald brothers’ high-volume restaurant system. The location, at 400 North Lee Street in Des Plaines, became an important symbol of the company’s franchising history. It was Kroc’s first McDonald’s location, although it was not the first McDonald’s restaurant overall.

That distinction matters. The McDonald brothers had opened their original restaurant in San Bernardino, California, in 1940 and had developed the streamlined service model by 1948. Kroc’s role was to expand that system through franchising and create a large, consistent chain.

The Des Plaines restaurant’s branding helped introduce the McDonald’s name and arches to a broader audience. The original building was later reconstructed as a museum, although that museum closed in 2017.