This Week in Wall Street History: McDonald’s — April 15, 1955, the Day Fast-Food Went Global

In this episode of This Week in Wall Street History, Todd M. Schoenberger explores why April 15, 1955 marks a seismic shift in fast-food—and corporate—history. On that day, Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald’s franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois. It wasn’t the original McDonald brothers’ restaurant, but it became the engine behind the global powerhouse we know today. Learn how the revolutionary assembly-line Speedee system, franchising model, and iconic Golden Arches all started here—sparking an expansion that changed American culture and capitalism forever. On April 15, 1955, Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois—kickstarting what would become the McDonald's Corporation. By that first day, sales hit $366.12 (about $4,300 today). Kroc's vision and standardized model fueled exponential growth—by the early 1960s, McDonald’s had hundreds of locations, and by the 1970s, it was a global phenomenon. Loved this deep dive into McDonald’s origins? Subscribe to CrossCheck Media for more episodes of This Week in Wall Street History, plus jargon-breakdowns on Wall Street Lingo and sharp market debates on Buy Hold Sell. Hit Subscribe and ring the bell—you won’t want to miss what’s next! Partner with CrossCheck Media to position your brand in front of a discerning, engaged audience. From display ads to sponsored segments, we offer tailored packages. Reach out at [email protected]. #ThisWeekInWallStreetHistory #McDonalds #RayKroc #FastFoodRevolution #April15 #FranchiseHistory #GoldenArches #BusinessHistory #CrossCheckMedia #BuyHoldSell #ToddSchoenberger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices