Kroc, Ray (1902-1984), an American businessman , transformed the restaurant McDonald’s from a small drive-in restaurant into a huge international fast-food chain . Kroc pioneered restaurant franchising . In franchising, local owners build and operate restaurants under agreement with a corporation . The corporation supplies food and marketing , ensuring a consistent experience across individual locations.
Ray Kroc was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on Oct. 5, 1902. He trained to be an ambulance driver for the Red Cross during World War I (1914-1918), lying about his age to qualify. After the war, Kroc tried a number of jobs. He sold paper cups and worked as a pianist at various venues. Kroc learned the restaurant business while selling milk-shake mixers.
Kroc met Maurice and Richard McDonald on a business trip. He wanted to know why the brothers’ small hamburger restaurant in San Bernardino , California, needed so many of his company’s Multimixer milk-shake mixers. Kroc was impressed with the restaurant’s popularity and clean, efficient food preparation. Kroc convinced the brothers to license him the right to franchise their restaurant. In 1955, Kroc started his first successful McDonald’s franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois. Thousands of McDonald’s soon followed around the country.
In the 1950’s, automobile ownership was becoming more widespread, contributing to a shift in American eating habits. Kroc’s McDonald’s franchises appealed to the rising demand for quick, cheap food away from home. Kroc’s business experience helped him to manage suppliers and franchise owners and encourage good customer service. These factors contributed to the growth of McDonald’s. Kroc died on Jan. 14, 1984.
