McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a global quick-service restaurant company best known for its hamburgers, French fries and breakfast offerings. The company develops, operates and franchises a system of restaurants that sell a range of food and beverage items, including signature products such as the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets, McCafé coffee beverages and a variety of salads, desserts and seasonal menu items. McDonald's serves customers through company-operated restaurants and franchised locations, and it supports sales via dine-in, drive-thru, digital ordering platforms and third-party delivery partnerships.
Founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald as a single San Bernardino, California restaurant, the business was transformed into a franchising model after Ray Kroc joined in the mid-1950s and led the brand's national and international expansion. The company is also known for its real estate strategy, owning or controlling land and buildings at many restaurant sites and leasing them to franchisees, a structure that has been central to its growth. McDonald's operates and franchises restaurants across more than 100 countries, serving millions of customers daily through an extensive global supply chain and localized menus adapted to regional tastes.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, McDonald's is governed by a corporate management team and a board of directors that oversee global operations, brand strategy and franchise relations. The company has emphasized investment in digital ordering, delivery, restaurant modernization and menu innovation to enhance convenience and customer experience. McDonald's continuing focus on its franchised business model, global brand recognition and operational scale positions it as a leading participant in the global quick-service restaurant industry.