The first step was getting rid of all the carhops. Next, the menu was cut down from 25 items to 9, which mostly consisted of hamburgers. They replaced their old grills for larger, more efficient kinds. The plates and silverware was replaced by paper, taking away the need for a dishwasher and constant replacements. The size of the burgers was cut down, and the workers, not the customers, put the condiments on the burger.

In an effort to increase speed and efficiency more, the McDonald brothers ordered 8 milkshake machines that made 5 shakes at the same time, from a man named Ray Kroc. Intrigued by a business that would need so many milkshake machines, Kroc decided to give McDonald's a visit of his own. Liking what he had seen, Ray Kroc offered to run the franchising for McDonald's and offering them a percentage of profits in return. Eventually, the brothers simply sold the business (for much less than they could have asked for) and got out.

Ray Kroc made some of his own changes, by changing the size of the burgers and standardizing the burger process. The burger patty was to be 3 5/8 inches in diameter. The fat content was between 17 and 20 percent. He demanded his employees' cleanliness and exact uniforms.

Ray Kroc's dream McDonald's


Ray Kroc's dream come true

Starting in 1955, there were 7 McDonald's stores. In 1956, 12 more were added. In 1957, there were 40. By 1958, 79; by 1959, 145; by 1960, 228; by 1970, 1500; and by 1980, 6200. In 1990 a store was opened in Moscow, Russia. There are currently over 7000 McDonald's restaurants in over 25 countries around the world. McDonald's, a simple restaurant, started by two brothers who had failed in every business they had tried, has set the standard for fast-food restaurants and for franchising.

McDonald's of the 1970's

McDonald's in China

McDonald's in Germany

the response to a McDonald's in Russia