What year was McDonald's founded?

McDonald's was founded in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. This year marks the beginning of what would grow into one of the largest fast-food chains in the world. The original restaurant focused on efficiency and speed in food preparation, which laid the groundwork for the fast-food concept that McDonald's would later refine and popularize globally.

The significance of the year 1940 is crucial as it represents the inception of the McDonald's brand and its pioneering approach to service and menu offerings, which fundamentally changed the landscape of the fast-food industry. In the subsequent years, especially with the founding of the first franchised location in 1955, McDonald’s expanded significantly, and the brand became synonymous with fast food.