Locations Phones
1730 4th St (707) 442-8821
3450 Broadway St (707) 442-5981
Hours
Varies
Website
http://www.mcdonalds.com
Payment Method
Cash/Credit Card

McDonald's is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 68 million customers daily in 119 countries across 35,000 outlets.[5][6] Founded in the United States in 1940, the company began as a barbecue restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald. In 1948, they reorganized their business as a hamburger stand using production line principles. Businessman Ray Kroc joined the company as a franchise agent in 1955. He subsequently purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers and oversaw its worldwide growth.[7]

A McDonald's restaurant is operated by either a franchisee, an affiliate, or the corporation itself. The McDonald's Corporation revenues come from the rent, royalties, and fees paid by the franchisees, as well as sales in company-operated restaurants. In 2012, the company had annual revenues of $27.5 billion and profits of $5.5 billion.[8] According to a 2012 BBC report, McDonald's is the world's second largest private employer—behind Walmart—with 1.9 million employees, 1.5 million of whom work for franchises.[9]

McDonald's primarily sells hamburgerscheeseburgerschickenfrench friesbreakfast items, soft drinksmilkshakes, and desserts. In response to changing consumer tastes, the company has expanded its menu to include saladsfishwrapssmoothies, fruit,[10][11] and seasoned fries.[12]