McDonald's - Fast food brand (Golden Arches)

Brand overview

McDonald's is an American fast-food brand best known for its "Golden Arches" logo. The original McDonald's restaurant was opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1940 in San Bernardino, California; the McDonald's system and global franchising expansion were driven by Ray Kroc beginning in the 1950s. The corporate owner and steward of the brand today is McDonald's Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Manufacturing & local production

Although the brand originated in the United States, McDonald's food, packaging and many branded products are produced and sourced locally or regionally in each market. Restaurants are typically supplied by national or regional suppliers that follow McDonald's global quality and specification standards. In that sense, while the brand origin is the United States, actual food and packaging manufacturing occurs in many countries where McDonald's operates.

Ownership & local structure

McDonald's Corporation remains the ultimate owner of the McDonald's brand and system. Operationally, the company uses a mix of company-owned restaurants and franchised restaurants; in major markets such as Germany the business is managed through a local legal entity (e.g., McDonald's Deutschland LLC, Zweigniederlassung München) and numerous independent franchisees. This structure means brand control and standards are global, while day-to-day manufacturing, sourcing and restaurant operations are primarily local or regional.

Summary

• Brand origin: United States (founded 1940).
• Ultimate owner: McDonald's Corporation (headquartered in Chicago, USA).
• Local operations / manufacturing: executed across multiple countries via national/regional suppliers and local subsidiaries (e.g., McDonald's Deutschland LLC in Germany).