Ray Kroc was a successful businessman and generous philanthropist. He took the “McDonald’s” franchise from a localized operation and built the most popular and profitable fast-food operation in the world. His creation of the “Ronald McDonald House” charities, as well as the Kroc Foundation. He owned the San Diego Padres baseball team for five years before turning it over to his son-in-law.
Raymond Albert Kroc was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1902. His parents, Rose Mary and Louis, were of Czech background. Kroc became an ambulance driver during World War I; lying about his young age of 15 to get the job. He served in this position until the war’s end, although he was not sent overseas to combat areas.
Kroc worked at different occupations until the 1950s. He had a musical talent that he evidenced at an early age. His skill as a pianist got him work as a jazz musician and band member. He also worked as a disc jockey on an Oak Park radio station. His introduction to the food service industry came when he worked for room and board at Midwestern chain restaurant run by Ray Dambaugh. Kroc’s entry into sales was a representative of the “Lily’s” paper cups products. It wasn’t until he was selling a line of “Multi-Mixer” milk shake machines that his career would blossom.
The McDonald brothers bought several milk shake machines from Kroc for their hamburger restaurants in the area of San Bernardino, California. Kroc was so impressed by the restaurants, and he saw enormous potential in them. As the brothers were looking for a franchising agent, Kroc seized the opportunity to open the first restaurant under the new company name, “McDonald’s Inc.” in Des Plaines, Iowa. As is often said, “the rest is history.” Kroc’s innovative idea of selling franchises individually, not trying to sell them in multiple numbers to an owner in one geographic area, led to the incredible increase in the presence of McDonald’s restaurants.
Ray Kroc was a brilliant innovator, but was not one to reject the ingenious ideas others showed him. It was the McDonald brothers who had already created their “Speedee Service System” by 1948. With expansion and tailoring of the original McDonald menu, Kroc brought McDonald’s to the prominence it still holds today. The “Hamburger University” is the unique training method for employees of McDonald’s. Structuring a restaurant-worker’s training as a form of higher education was an ennobling idea. Kroc’s innovative style serves as a model for franchising businesses.
With the massive recognition of the McDonald’s brand, Kroc used the name to help others. He started the Kroc Foundation, which conducts research to combat arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. The Kroc’s daughter, Marilyn, suffered from diabetes and passed away in 1973. His wife, Joan, was a major force in philanthropic efforts. Ray Kroc’s work and legacy have been carried on by Joan since his passing in 1984.