Ray Kroc bought the McDonald brothers’ company and drove McDonald’s national expansion.
Kroc became involved with McDonald’s in 1954 after learning that the San Bernardino restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald was purchasing multiple milkshake machines. Impressed by its efficient system, he became the company’s franchise agent.
In 1961, Kroc purchased the rights to the McDonald’s business from the brothers. He then built a large franchise network and standardized restaurant operations, helping turn the name and Golden Arches into a nationally recognized brand.
The McDonald brothers created the original restaurant system, so Kroc was not the original founder of the restaurant. His major role was developing and expanding the company on a national scale.