Ray Kroc was an American businessman who purchased the fast food company McDonald's in 1961 from the McDonald brothers and was its CEO from 1967 to 1973. Kroc is credited with the global expansion of McDonald's, turning it into the most successful fast-food corporation in the world by revenue.
Kroc was born in Oak Park, Illinois, and worked a variety of jobs, including as a paper cup salesman and a musician, before eventually becoming a milkshake mixer salesman.
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In 1954, he visited the McDonald brothers' restaurant in San Bernardino, California, and was impressed by their efficiency and low food costs. He convinced them to let him become their exclusive distributor of milkshake mixers, and he soon began to dream of expanding their business.
In 1955, Kroc opened his first McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois. He quickly realized that the key to success was to standardize the restaurant's operations and procedures. He developed a system of training and quality control, and he began to franchise McDonald's restaurants all over the country.
By the time Kroc bought out the McDonald brothers in 1961, there were over 200 McDonald's restaurants in operation. Under Kroc's leadership, the company continued to expand rapidly. By the time of his death in 1984, there were over 7,500 McDonald's restaurants in operation worldwide.
Kroc was a controversial figure. He was often criticized for his ruthless business tactics and his treatment of employees. However, he is also credited with transforming McDonald's from a small regional chain into a global phenomenon.
Kroc's legacy is complex. He was a driven and successful businessman who built one of the most successful companies in the world. However, he was also a ruthless and demanding boss who often put profits ahead of people.
Despite his flaws, Kroc was a visionary who changed the way people eat. He created a system that allowed McDonald's to mass-produce food quickly and efficiently, and he made it available to people all over the world. Kroc's legacy is one of both success and controversy, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most influential figures in American business history.
Family Overview
Ray Kroc came from humble beginnings but a family with a ferocious work ethic.
His father immigrated from Czechoslovakia prior to the 20th century. His mother was from Austria. Both of them instilled a work ethic into their three children, who survived.
His brother became a doctor, and his sister led a successful life.
Ray was married three times. He was first married to his high school sweetheart, and the two had one daughter together.
He married a second time and divorced soon after.
His third marriage would last until his death.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Alois Kroc (1879 - 1937) - A Czechoslavakia Immigrant with three children. He migrated over in 1889 with his parents. His parents settled in Chicago.
Rosi Maria Hrach (1881 - 1930) - He migrated to Chicago with her family. Her family was from Austria, and she married in 1901 and had three children.
Spouse:
Ethel Fleming (1890 - 1965) - She was the first wife of Ray Kroc, and the two had a daughter together. She was the longest marriage to Ray Kroc. They married from 1922 to 1961.
Jane Dobbins (1911 - 2000) - She was the second wife of Ray Kroc, and the two were married for a short period and did not have any children.
Joan Beverly Mansfield (1928 - 2003) - She was the final wife of Ray Kroc and would be with him until his death in 1984. The two did not have any children.
Children:
Marilyn Janet Kroc (1924 - 1973) - She died at a young age. Her father would outlive her for 11 years. She married but did not have any children.
Siblings:
Robert Louis Kroc (1907 - 2002) - He married and became a doctor. He moved from Chicago to Santa Barbara, California.
Lorraine Emily Kroc (1910 - 2003) - She died a year after her brother. She had three daughters and 11 grandchildren.