An Analysis of McDonalds Essay -- essays research papers

The number one fast-food chain McDonald's is the world’s leading food service retailer with more than 30,000 local restaurants in 121 countries serving 45 million customers each day. The McDonald's History Raymond Albert Kroc 1902-1984, A Salesman Ray Kroc mortgaged his home and invested his entire life savings to become the exclusive distributor of a five-spindled milk shake maker called the Multimixer. Hearing about the McDonald's hamburger stand in California running eight Multimixers at a time, he packed up his car and headed West. It was 1954. He was 52 years old. Where it all began, Des Plaines, Illinois Ray Kroc opened the Des Plaines restaurant in 1955. First day's revenues-$366.12! It’s no longer a functioning restaurant, the Des Plaines building is now a museum containing McDonald's memorabilia and artifacts, including the Multimixer! Ronald McDonald, In Any Language He Means "Fun!" "The smile known around the world," Ronald McDonald is second only to Santa Claus in terms of recognition. In his first TV appearance in 1963, the happy clown was portrayed by none other than Willard Scott. Fred Turner And Ray Kroc, Architects Of A Dream Ray Kroc and Fred Turner study the design which would replace the red and white tile buildings that had become landmarks throughout the United States. Called Kroc's first "grill man extraordinaire," Turner is today Senior Chairman of the Board. McDonald's Comes To Wall Street In 1965 McDonald's went public with the company's first offering on the stock exchange. A hundred shares of stock costing $2,250 dollars that day would have multiplied into 74,360 shares today, worth over $2.8 million on December 31, 1998. In 1985, McDonald's was added to the 30-company Dow Jones Industrial Average. A Big Idea Called "Big Mac" Introduced system wide in 1968, the Big Mac was the brainchild of Jim Delligatti, one of Ray Kroc's earliest franchisees, who by the late 1960s operated a dozen stores in Pittsburgh. The Egg McMuffin Introduced in 1973, the Egg McMuffin was developed by owner operator Herb Peterson. The First Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia, PA In 1974, Fred Hill of the Philadelphia Eagles teamed up with McDonald's to create Ronald McDonald House. The families of critically ill children have a place to call home while they're away from home as the young patients und... ...season. Video/DVD/Music The McKids entertainment series provides an energetic, engaging and fun experience for children. Unlike typical videos for children that are more passive, the McKids Video series will get kids on their feet to join in the action. Fueled with contemporary, hip music and hosted by Ronald McDonaldâ„ ¢, each 30 minute live action show will take kids on interactive adventures, interspersed with energetic music videos. Kids may learn about teamwork in a participatory soccer segment, or experience the galaxy as they magically zoom through space. They will also learn about children who live in different parts of the world. Books The McKids Books Series introduces a new line of interactive books to engage, entertain, educate and enlighten kids. The books teach and encourage kids to be creative, and make reading and learning fun. References: http://www.mcdonalds.com http://www.shareholder.com/mcd/stock.cfm?period=12 http://www.mcdonalds.com/corporate/press/corporate/2003/11132003/index.html Sociology, A Global Perspective, Fifth Edition, Joan Ferrante, Northern Kentucky University, Copyright 2003 Wadsworth Fortune 2001; Foreign Policy 2001; McDonald’s Corporation 2001