McDonald's Corporation

McDonald’s Corporation is a global restaurant company whose modern history began with Dick and Mac McDonald’s streamlined restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers introduced the Speedee Service System, centered on a limited menu and fast service; Ray Kroc visited in 1954, became their franchise agent, opened a Des Plaines, Illinois, restaurant in 1955 and acquired the rights to the brothers’ company in 1961 for $2.7 million. [1]

McDonald’s is primarily a franchisor. Its 2025 Form 10-K reports 45,356 restaurants at year-end 2025, approximately 95% of them franchised, across more than 100 countries. The company uses conventional franchises, developmental licenses and affiliates, and its revenue includes sales from company-operated restaurants plus fees, occupancy and operating rights connected with franchised restaurants. [2]

The operating system depends on coordination among the corporation, franchisees and suppliers. McDonald’s says franchisees benefit from its brand, operating system and financial resources, while company-operated restaurants provide venues for testing standards, training personnel and refining products, pricing and marketing. Its stated purpose is “to feed and foster communities,” its mission is to make delicious feel-good moments easy for everyone, and its values include community, inclusion, family, service and integrity. [2] [4]

International growth has been accompanied by locally structured ownership. In mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, McDonald’s operates through a strategic partnership that began with CITIC, CITIC Capital and Carlyle; in 2023 McDonald’s agreed to acquire Carlyle’s minority stake, while the CITIC Consortium was expected to retain 52% and McDonald’s to increase its ownership to 48%. McDonald’s said China had become its second-largest market and that the region’s restaurant count had more than doubled to over 5,500 since 2017. [3]

The China arrangement is relevant to this database because it connects the global corporation’s franchising and brand system with a locally organized operating partnership. The company’s broader model combines restaurant standards, supply relationships, digital and delivery platforms, marketing and menu development with local operators and franchisees, allowing the same global brand to be adapted to different markets. [2] [4]