McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is a leading global fast‐food restaurant operator and franchisor. The company’s primary business involves the development, operation, and franchising of a broad portfolio of quick‐service restaurants. Through a combination of company‐owned and franchised outlets, McDonald’s delivers consistent, affordable food and beverage offerings across diverse markets, leveraging standardized cooking processes, supply chain efficiencies, and branding to maintain its position in the fast‐food industry.
McDonald’s menu features core items such as hamburgers and cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and McNuggets, world‐famous fries, and a variety of breakfast foods. The McCafé line extends the company’s beverage portfolio with coffee, espresso and cold drinks, while seasonal and limited‐time offerings support regional tastes and promotional campaigns. McDonald’s continues to invest in digital ordering, self‐service kiosks, mobile apps and delivery partnerships to enhance convenience and customer engagement.
The company traces its roots to a single drive‐in restaurant founded by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, in 1940. Entrepreneur Ray Kroc joined the business as a franchise agent in 1955, opening the first McDonald’s in Des Plaines, Illinois, and guiding the chain’s rapid expansion. Over the following decades, McDonald’s grew into one of the world’s most recognizable brands, with corporate headquarters now located in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Illinois.
Today, McDonald’s operates in more than 100 countries through a network of tens of thousands of restaurants, the majority of which are owned and operated by independent franchisees. The company’s executive leadership is headed by President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski, supported by a global management team responsible for operations, marketing, supply chain and franchise relations. This structure enables McDonald’s to adapt to local preferences while maintaining consistent standards of quality, service and cleanliness worldwide.