McDonald’s, the world’s largest fast food restaurant chain, has undergone several name changes throughout its history before adopting its current iconic name. Here is a look at the previous names of McDonald’s over the years:
The Early Years
McDonald’s was founded in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice “Mac” McDonald in San Bernardino, California. They opened their first restaurant called McDonald’s Bar-B-Que in 1940.
In 1948, the McDonald brothers decided to revamp their menu and focus on burgers, fries, and beverages instead of barbeque. They renamed their restaurant “McDonald’s Famous Hamburgers.”
Partnership with Ray Kroc
In 1955, Ray Kroc became the franchise agent for the McDonald brothers and opened the first franchise location in Des Plaines, Illinois. At this point, the brother’s restaurant was officially called “McDonald’s.”
Kroc eventually bought the rights to McDonald’s from the McDonald brothers in 1961. He founded the McDonald’s Corporation in the same year and continued expanding McDonald’s worldwide.
International Expansion
As McDonald’s expanded internationally starting in the 1960s and 70s, some locations were given localized names:
- In Mexico – “Restaurante McDonald’s”
- In the Netherlands – “McDonald’s Holland”
- In Brazil – “McDonald’s Comércio de Alimentos”
However, the vast majority of international locations were still called McDonald’s.
The Modern McDonald’s Brand
By the 1980s, the name “McDonald’s” was instilled in popular culture around the world. The company formulated its brand strategy around the McDonald’s name:
- Introduced slogan “Nobody can do it like McDonald’s can” in 1981
- Launched “I’m lovin’ it” campaign in 2003
- Implement “Golden Arches” logo globally
While menu items and store designs have evolved, McDonald’s has strategically maintained its iconic brand name over the decades.
Other McDonald’s Brands
While most locations operate under the McDonald’s brand, the company has experimented with other chains over the years:
- Chipotle Mexican Grill – Founded in 1993 and divested in 2006
- Aroma Cafe – Coffeeshop chain launched in 1993; closed in 2001
- Boston Market – Acquired in 2000 and sold in 2007
However, none of these alternate brands reached the level of fame and dominance as the McDonald’s brand itself.
Original McDonald’s Names
To summarize, here is a history of the original names that McDonald’s operated under:
| Year | Restaurant Name |
|---|---|
| 1940 | McDonald’s Bar-B-Que |
| 1948 | McDonald’s Famous Hamburgers |
| 1955 | McDonald’s |
Conclusion
McDonald’s original name when it opened in 1940 was McDonald’s Bar-B-Que. As the founders switched to focusing on burgers and fries in the late 1940s, they renamed to McDonald’s Famous Hamburgers. By the 1950s when Ray Kroc became involved, the name was simplified to just McDonald’s.
While international locations sometimes had localized names, the core “McDonald’s” brand was cemented worldwide by the 1980s. Despite launching other chains like Chipotle and Boston Market, McDonald’s decided to focus on its iconic original brand name.