McDonald's Big Mac burger

McDonald's is the world's leading global food service retailer. Founded in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, the brand was transformed into a global powerhouse by Ray Kroc, who joined the company as a franchise agent in 1954 and subsequently bought the chain from the brothers in 1961.

Today, the brand operates under a franchise model where the vast majority of restaurants are owned and operated by independent local business owners. McDonald's manufacturing and supply chain are decentralized; ingredients like beef, poultry, and produce are typically sourced from local or regional suppliers within the country of operation to ensure freshness and support local economies.

As of the mid-2020s, McDonald's Corporation remains an independent publicly traded company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It continues to be the ultimate owner of the brand name and intellectual property globally, managing one of the most sophisticated logistics and real estate portfolios in the food industry.