The founding of the infamous fast-food global empire, McDonalds, was originally founded by Richard and Maurice McDonald, who opened the first McDonald’s in San Bernardino, California, on May 15, 1940.
However, if not for the foresight and genius of Ray Kroc (at 52), who is the visionary responsible for making McDonald’s a household name in over 119 countries as of 2021. Today, over eight decades later, Ray’s dream of McDonald’s is larger than ever—even after his death in 1984.
BY: GUY JABBAR
There’s nothing more American than McDonald’s!
In most communities, there always seems to be a McDonald’s near me. Moreover, no matter how many of these popular chains I see every few blocks, the feeling of comfort that manifests, most of us never get tired of seeing another one.
Top 10 Reasons why McDonald’s is the largest fast-food restaurant in the world, and why they will continue to be the best in the future years to come.
- Consistency: McDonald’s has been historically known for providing quality food and services to its customers. This has helped the company build a loyal customer base over the 80 years in business.
- Innovation: McDonald’s has been a pioneering force when it comes to introducing new products and services to its customers. EXAMPLE: The company introduced the drive-thru concept, which has become a staple in the fast food industry.
- Efficient operating model: McDonald’s has created an operating model that allows it to keep costs low and profits high. The company’s focus on franchising has also helped it expand rapidly.
- Brand recognition: McDonald’s is one of the most acclaimed brands in the world. The company’s iconic logo and branding have helped it build a strong brand image that resonates with customers.
- Menu variety: McDonald’s offers a wide variety of menu items to cater to different tastes and preferences. The company has also introduced healthier options to its menu in recent years.
- Affordability: McDonald’s offers affordable food options that appeal to a wide range of customers. The company’s value menu and dollar menu have been particularly popular with customers.
- Convenience: McDonald’s has a large number of locations around the world, making it a convenient option for customers who are on the go.
- Customer service: McDonald’s places a strong emphasis on customer service. The company trains its employees to provide excellent customer service, which helps to build customer loyalty.
- Community involvement: McDonald’s is involved in various community initiatives, such as the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides housing for families of seriously ill children.
- Global presence: McDonald’s has a global presence, with restaurants in over 100 countries. This has helped the company become a household name around the world.
Popular McDonald’s Food Items
Here are some of the most popular affordable items on the McDonald’s menu: 10 Top Food Items that has helped this fast food chain into a global superpower:
- French fries: McDonald’s fries are a classic and have been a bestseller since the restaurant’s inception. They are the most popular item on the McDonald’s menu.
- Big Mac: This iconic burger is a fan favorite and has been around since 1968. It is the second most popular item on the McDonald’s menu.
- Quarter Pounder with cheese: McDonald’s second leading burger was introduced in 1971 by Al Bernardin, a franchise owner and former McDonald’s VP of product development. According to a 1991 interview, Bernardin noted that he “felt adult’s needed a higher ratio of meat to bun.”
- Double cheeseburger: With double the beef and double the cheese, this burger is the ninth most popular item on the McDonald’s menu.
- McGriddles breakfast sandwich: This breakfast sandwich is a hit among people who crave the delicious taste of pancakes but don’t have the time to sit down and have a stack. It is the tenth most popular item on the McDonald’s menu.
- Egg McMuffin breakfast sandwich: In 1971, California franchisee Herb Peterson invented the Egg McMuffin breakfast sandwich, which was inspired by eggs benedict. The sandwich was so successful that it was added to the national American menu in 1973.
- Happy Meal: The McDonald’s Happy Meal was first introduced in 1979 by Bob Bernstein, an advertising executive who wanted to create a child-friendly meal package that would hopefully entice younger consumers into eating at the restaurant more often.
- Premium salads: McDonald’s upped its salad game in 2003 with the introduction of Premium Salads. Salads like the Southwest Buttermilk Crispy Chicken and the Bacon Ranch have cemented the Premium Salad at eighth place on the list of most popular items on the McDonald’s menu.
- Chicken McNuggets: Introduced in 1980, Chicken McNuggets have been a bestseller ever since. They are the seventh most popular item on the McDonald’s menu.
- Select Strips: These chicken strips vanished from the menu in 2015, but chicken connoisseurs are still able to get their fix with the Buttermilk Chicken Tenders, new as of 2017. Either way, the combined chicken items have garnered enough sales to rank seventh on the list of most popular items on the McDonald’s menu.
- Apple slices/baked apple pie: From snacks to dessert, apples are a big deal for McDonald’s. The baked apple pie, introduced in 1992, has become somewhat iconic thanks to its very inexpensive price (99 cents!) and it’s a tasty recipe. If you want to get an even healthier apple fix, opt for the apple slices. Originally created as Apple Dippers, a nutritious side for Happy Meals, the apple slices alone have helped propel apple-related fare to spot six on the list of most popular items on the McDonald’s menu.
- Milk shake: As for the history of McDonald’s milkshakes, they were first introduced in the 1950s when Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman, bought exclusive rights to the 1930s-era Multimixer milkshake maker from inventor Earl Prince. Kroc went on to use automated milkshake machines to speed up production at McDonald’s restaurants. The rest is history.
In Conclusion, whether you’re a loyal fan of McDonald’s fast-food restaurant or not, Ray Kroc created a global empire that is frequented and enjoyed by billions of people every year. And with the vision and foresight into the future by Kroc, McDonald’s has built a brand that resonates with customers.
However, fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s have been linked to the widespread high blood pressure, diabetes, and other unhealthy related conditions. But through the years, McDonald’s has made huge changes to its menu to help ensure that they can provide healthier choices to all of the frequent visitors globally.
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