Brand origin, manufacturing and ownership

McDonald's began as a single restaurant opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California (1940) and was later expanded into a national franchise system through Ray Kroc in the 1950s; the company credits Kroc with founding the modern McDonald's system. (corporate.mcdonalds.com)

McDonald's operates as a global system of local businesses: menu items are prepared and sold in restaurants located in many countries, with the majority of restaurants owned and operated by independent franchisees or regional licensees rather than produced centrally. Because food is prepared locally across the chain’s worldwide restaurants, the product footprint is best described as produced in multiple countries under local supply chains and standardized operational processes. (corporate.mcdonalds.com)

The ultimate owner of the McDonald's brand is McDonald's Corporation, a publicly traded U.S. company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The corporation manages brand standards, franchising agreements, supply‑chain frameworks and global strategy while most restaurants are operated by franchisees or regional partners; McDonald’s provides investor and corporate governance information through its corporate channels. (corporate.mcdonalds.com)