McDonalds - yummmmm!

Where do you take your kids when it comes to a fun place and yummy food? Of course McDonalds, right? Let's find out how it came into existence. McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving nearly 47 million customers daily. Each McDonald's restaurant is operated by a franchisee, an affiliate, or the corporation itself.

History Summary:

• 1940: Dick and Mac McDonald open McDonald's Barbeque restaurant in California.
• 1948: Dick and Mac McDonald shut down the restaurant for 3 months and then reopened in December as a self service drive in restaurant. The attraction of the menu was hamburger.
• 1954: Multi Mixer salesman ray Kroc becomes franchising agent for the McDonald's brother.
• 1955: In Des Plaines Illinois ray Kroc opened his first McDonald and in Fresno, California he opened the second one.
• 1956: Ray Kroc hired future McDonald's chairman, Fred Turner as a counter man for the Des Plaines.
• 1958: 100 millionth hamburgers were sold.

• 1959: 100^th restaurant was opened in Fond Lac, Wisconsin.
• 1961: Hamburger University was opened in the Illinois. Graduates receive bachelor of Hamburgerology degrees.
• 1962: First restaurant with inside seating in Denver, Colorado.
• 1963: 500^th restaurant opened in Toledo, Ohio.
• 1966: Birth of Ronald McDonald in the first national television commercial. He had wide TV exposure at Macy's thanksgiving parade.
• 1967: McDonald's became international when first restaurant was opened in Canada and Puerto Rico. Today McDonalds has presence in 118 countries.
• 1968: Big Mac was introduced to the national menu.
• 1971: Ronald's new friend's ham burglar, Grimace, Mayor McCheese, Captain Crook and the Big Mac joined McDonald's family.
• 1974: The first Ronald McDonald's House opens in Philadelphia
• 1975: Breakfast was introduced in the menu.
• 1978: 5000^th restaurant was opened in Japan.

• 1979: The most famous happy meal concept was introduced.
• 1980: Silver Anniversary of McDonald's.
• 1987: Fresh salads were introduced in the menu.
• 1988: Fortune magazine name McDonald's Hamburger among the 100 product America make best.
• 1996: McDonald's website was launched.
• 2003: Premium salads added.
• 2005: 50^th Anniversary was celebrated.
• 2006: Snack wrap was introduced in US.
• 2008: The most comprehensive global packaging design was introduced.

McDonald's restaurants are now located in 32 countries around the world. There are 7778 restaurants all around.

Primary menu of McDonalds:

 In response to obesity trends in western nations and in the face of criticism over the healthiness of its products, the company has modified its menu to include such healthier alternatives as salads, wraps and fruit. McDonald's revenues grew 27% over the three years ending in 2007 to $22.8 billion, and 9% growth in operating income to $3.9 billion. That is some money making!

(Source: aboutmcdonalds.com)