Ray Kroc

Grinding It Out

1. IDEA 1

   A salesman saw an opportunity

   Kroc was a travelling salesman selling milkshake mixers when, in 1954, he visited a small restaurant in California run by the McDonald brothers. Impressed by its speed and efficiency, he saw the chance to build a nationwide chain.

2. IDEA 2

   Efficiency impressed him

   Kroc describes how the McDonald brothers had simplified their menu and streamlined production. Customers received food quickly. In Kroc's account, a short menu and a fast, orderly kitchen impressed him, and made him believe the idea could work far beyond one town.

3. IDEA 3

   He franchised the idea

   Kroc obtained rights to franchise McDonald's restaurants across America. He built a network of owner-operators. In his account, the plan was to spread the same restaurant to many towns, with each local owner running a branch.

All 8 ideas from Grinding It Out →