McDonald's – Fast-food restaurant chain

Overview

McDonald's is a global quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand that began as a single drive-in in San Bernardino, California, opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1940 and later expanded into a franchised system by Ray Kroc in the 1950s (Kroc founded McDonald’s System, Inc. in 1955 and purchased the business rights in 1961). (britannica.com)

Headquarters & Corporate Structure

The brand is ultimately owned and managed by McDonald's Corporation, a publicly traded U.S. company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois (corporate address: 110 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, IL). The company relocated and consolidated its modern global headquarters in Chicago’s West Loop. (corporate.mcdonalds.com)

Ownership & Franchising

McDonald's Corporation is the ultimate owner of the brand and operates an asset-light, franchise-focused business model. The company is publicly listed and reports its consolidated franchised and company-operated results in SEC filings and investor materials. Approximately 95% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent franchisees, while the corporation retains a minority of company-operated sites. (sec.gov)

Manufacturing / Where Food Is Made

As a restaurant chain rather than a packaged consumer product, McDonald's food and restaurant operations are produced and fulfilled locally across multiple countries. Ingredients, supply-chain partners, and food preparation occur in regional and national supply networks and through local suppliers and distribution centers tailored to each market, so manufacturing and food preparation are effectively "Multiple countries." (corporate.mcdonalds.com)

Practical Summary

• Product: Global fast-food restaurant chain (QSR).
• Origin: United States (founded 1940; franchising growth under Ray Kroc from 1955 onward).
• Ultimate owner: McDonald's Corporation (U.S.-headquartered, publicly traded).
• Manufacturing/production footprint: Multiple countries — food is sourced, produced, and served locally by regional supply chains and franchise operations. (britannica.com)