who invented mcdonald's

McDonald's was originally invented by brothers Richard (Dick) and Maurice (Mac) McDonald, who opened the first McDonald's restaurant in 1940 in San Bernardino, California. They pioneered the fast-food model with their "Speedee Service System," which emphasized efficiency and a limited menu focused on hamburgers, fries, and shakes. Later, in 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer salesman, discovered their restaurant and saw its potential. He became their franchising agent, founded McDonald's Corporation in 1955, and expanded the brand into the global empire it is today. In 1961, Kroc bought the McDonald brothers out and is often credited as the founder of the modern McDonald's due to his role in franchising and expansion, though he did not originally invent the restaurant concept.