answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

McDonalds actually started in California, despite what the "official" company history claims. Two brothers converted their BBQ restaurant to a hamburger stand in San Berndarino, CA. They developed the "Speedee Service" system. They opened several other franchises, including one in Phoenix, AZ and another in Downey, CA. The one in Downey, franchised in 1953, is still in operation, and it is the oldest McDonalds still in operation today. Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman was so impressed with the restaurant system the McDonalds brothers had developed, he bought the whole company for $2 million. In 1955, he opened his first franchise in Des Plaines, IL. The "official" company history states that this was the first restaurant, or at least the first franchise. But, in fact, it was the fifth McDonalds and the fourth franchise. Note that the restaurant in Downey, which is still in operation, actually predates Kroc's buy-out by two years, but the company still maintains that the one in Des Plaines (which is no longer a restaurant, but houses a museum) was the first. That restaurant in San Bernardino, CA, by the way, was responsible for the birth of several other chains, including Taco Bell, Burger King, and Wienerschnetzel (although those chains didn't necessarily open in San Bernardino, they were conceived by workers at that very first McDonalds, and friends of the McDonalds brothers).

As far as the first McDonalds in Napa, California, it is more difficult to tell when it opened. An earlier response (above the line) said 1955, but I doubt that is the truth, since Kroc was just opening his first franchise in Des Plaines that particular year.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

he opened his first McDonald's in Wilton,Texas.It was very small but much better than know a day.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Mcdonalds darling

mcdonalds darling

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

April 1955 in Des Plaines, Illinois

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

1950

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

1955

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: When did ray kroc open his first mc donalds?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp