The History of McDonald’s (1938-2021)

Enjoy the story from its humble beginnings as a bbq stand, to a drive in, to a small burger bar, to a booming billion dollar business.

Follow the lives of the people who helped grow this fast food empire to what it is today. From a simple idea from two brothers to a world famous icon and symbol of quick, easy and great tasting food. Learn how their menu items were invented as well as how the peoples lives behind it turned out as well.


This documentary covers McDonald’s every step of the way.


00:00:00 - Chapter 1: The McDonald Brothers

00:00:40 - McDonald Brothers' Humble Beginnings

00:01:44 - Moving To Hollywood

00:02:50 - The Beacon Theater

00:05:05 - The Airdome

00:06:38 - McDonalds Famous Barbecue Drive In

00:08:24 - McDonald's is Born

00:13:05 - Picking Up Steam

00:13:25 - Birth of the Golden Arches and a Re-Design

00:16:26 - First Attempt at Franchising

00:18:12 - Enter Ray Kroc

00:19:18 - Chapter 2: Ray Kroc's Early Life

00:21:31 - Ray Kroc Joins the Red Cross, Ethel Fleming and Teenage Years

00:24:22 - Ray Get's a Job at Lily Tulip Cup Company

00:25:59 - Marilyn Kroc

00:26:25 - Moving to Florida and Back to Chicago

00:28:54 - Story of the Multimixer

00:33:58 - Fold A Nook

00:34:55 - Ray Kroc Visits McDonalds

00:38:40 - Ray Becomes McDonalds Franchise Agent

00:40:27 - Ray Open's His Own McDonalds

00:42:33 - Chapter 3: McDonald's 1955 - 1966

00:42:38 - Harry Sonneborn

00:45:13 - Franchise Realty

00:46:16 - Fred Turner

00:49:10 - Conflict Between McDonald Bros. and Ray

00:50:23 - Ray Kroc Meets Joan Smith

00:51:24 - Ray Divorces Ethel

00:52:18 - Ray Buys McDonalds

00:54:11 - The Big M and Changes to McDonalds

00:55:57 - Filet-O-Fish is Born

00:57:40 - Ray Marries Jane Green

00:58:00 - Ronald McDonald is Born

00:59:57 - Further Expansion and McDonalds Goes Public

01:01:37 - Chapter 4 1967 - 2021

01:01:46 - Ray Kroc Vs. Harry Sonneborn

01:02:55 - Big Mac is Born

01:04:08 - Founder Ray Kroc

01:04:55 - Fate of the McDonald Brothers

01:06:05 - Ray Kroc Meets Joan Smith Again

01:07:31 - Ray Divorces Jane

01:08:13 - McDonalds Apple Pie is Born

01:08:55 - Ray Marries Joan

01:09:06 - Remodeling of McDonalds With Brown Roofs

01:10:00 - Shamrock Shake is Born

01:12:00 - McDonaldland is Born

01:12:46 - Big M Closes and McDonalds Opens In New Countries

01:13:42 - Quarter Pounder is Born

01:14:49 - McMuffin is Born

01:15:30 - Ray Kroc Buy the Padres Baseball Team

01:16:41 - Ronald McDonald House is Born

01:16:53 - McDonalds Drive Thru and Chef Rene Arend

01:17:51 - McDonalds Breakfast Menu is Born

01:18:18 - Happy Meal is Born

01:20:00 - Braille Menus

01:20:13 - McChicken is Born

01:20:34 - McNuggets are Born

01:21:38 - McRib is Born

01:22:38 - Ray Kroc Passes Away

01:23:20 - McDonalds in the Late 1980's and Early 1990's

01:23:54 - McCafe Opens For First Time

01:24:18 - Hot Coffee Court Case

01:25:53 - Arch Deluxe is Born

01:26:55 - McFlurry Is Born

01:27:28 - Dick McDonald Passes away

01:27:52 - McDonald's Loses Grip

01:28:12 - 3 in 1 McDonalds Diner Restaurant

01:29:05 - New Menu Items

01:29:18 - Super Size Me, Ronald McDonalds New Look and Healthier Food

01:30:16 - "Forever Young" Remodel

01:31:27 - McDonalds Angus Burgers Are Born

01:31:40 - McDonalds in the 2010's

01:32:20 - Grand Mac is Born

01:32:38 - McHive

01:33:21 - The Future For McDonalds