Which company did Ray Kroc establish in 1955 to franchise and operate McDonald’s restaurants?

Ray Kroc established McDonald’s System, Inc. in 1955 to franchise and operate McDonald’s restaurants.

Kroc had become involved with the McDonald brothers after learning about their highly efficient San Bernardino restaurant. In 1955, he opened a McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, and created McDonald’s System, Inc. to develop the franchise business. The company later changed its name to McDonald’s Corporation in 1960.

This distinction matters because “McDonald’s Corporation” is the later corporate name, not the original 1955 name. Kroc’s role was expanding the brothers’ concept through standardized franchising, while the brothers had created the original restaurant and service model. The corporate history is therefore separate from the branding history of the Golden Arches, although both contributed to the chain’s rapid national growth.