Ray Kroc was born in Oak Park, Illinois on October 5, 1902. During World War I, Kroc worked as an ambulance driver and met life long friends like Walt Disney and Ernest Hemingway. After the war, Kroc began to jump from sales job to sales job. For a while he was even a radio DJ! Finally, he worked for room and board at a restaurant hoping to learn the business. He was put to the test when he was given the task of selling milkshake machines. This specific shake machine was able to make five shakes at the same time. He kept this gig for 17 years.
Kroc came across the McDonalds brothers through his milkshake machines. The restaurant chain based in San Bernardino, California invested in many of the machines. Kroc wanted more, so he offered to work as a franchising agent for a cut of their profits. Kroc saw the overwhelming potential that this franchise held, and soon became president of the corporation in 1955. Six years later, he bought the owners completely out. Once McDonalds surpassed its' competition, Kroc reassigned himself to the role of senior chairman which he kept until his death in 1984.
Kroc came across the McDonalds brothers through his milkshake machines. The restaurant chain based in San Bernardino, California invested in many of the machines. Kroc wanted more, so he offered to work as a franchising agent for a cut of their profits. Kroc saw the overwhelming potential that this franchise held, and soon became president of the corporation in 1955. Six years later, he bought the owners completely out. Once McDonalds surpassed its' competition, Kroc reassigned himself to the role of senior chairman which he kept until his death in 1984.