Richard James McDonald

About

Co-founder and namesake of the McDonald's fast-food franchise. They used the Speedee Service System to produce meals, which would later become the standard for fast food operations. 

Before Fame

He was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, to a family of Irish immigrants.

Trivia

He and his brother began their restaurant franchise with the goal of earning a million dollars before their 50th birthdays. In the film The Founder, he was played by comedic actor Nick Offerman.

Family Life

He and his older brother Maurice opened the first McDonald's restaurant in San Bernardino, California, in 1940. They were of Scottish descent.

Associated With

He and his brother partnered with entrepreneur Ray Kroc in 1954. Kroc had a major impact on evolving the restaurant into a huge franchise and became the sole owner of McDonald's in 1961.