Ray Kroc
| Ray Kroc | |
|---|---|
Kroc in 1978
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|
| Born |
Raymond Albert Kroc October 5, 1902 Oak Park, Illinois, United States |
| Died | January 14, 1984 (aged 81) San Diego, California, United States |
| Cause of death | Heart failure |
| Resting place |
El Camino Memorial Park San Diego, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Owner of McDonald's |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Ethel Fleming (1922–1961, divorced) Jane Dobbins Green (1963–1968, divorced) Joan Mansfield (1969–1984, his death) |
| Children | Marilyn Janet Kroc Barg (1924-1973) |
| Notes | |
Raymond Albert "Ray" Kroc (October 5, 1902 – January 14, 1984) was an American businessman. He joined McDonald's in 1954 and built it into the most successful fast food operation in the world. Kroc was included in Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century, and amassed a fortune during his lifetime. He owned the San Diego Padres baseball team from 1974 until his death in 1984.
Kroc was born on October 5, 1902 in Oak Park, near Chicago, to parents of Czech origin, Rose Mary (Hrach) and Alois "Louis" Kroc. His father was from the village of Břasy near Plzeň, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic).
He grew up and spent most of his life in Oak Park, Illinois. During the First World War he lied about his age and became a Red Cross ambulance driver at 15, though the war ended and he was not shipped overseas.
After the Second World War, Kroc found employment as a milk shake mixer salesman for Prince Castle. When Prince Castle Multi-Mixer sales plummeted because of competition from lower-priced Hamilton Beach products, Kroc took note of the McDonald brothers who had purchased six of his Multi-Mixers. Immediately after visiting the San Bernardino store in 1955, Kroc became convinced that the setup of this small chain had the potential to explode across the nation. He offered his services to the McDonald brothers, who were looking for a new franchising agent following the departure of agent Bill Tansey due to health issues.
Kroc opened the first restaurant of McDonald's, Inc. in Des Plaines, Illinois. Kroc remained active in Des Plaines until the end of his life, frequently phoning the manager of the store across the street to remind him to clean his restaurant properly. The Des Plaines location boomed, bringing in hundreds of dollars on its opening day. Kroc franchised out scores of restaurants to franchisees. The brothers were satisfied with the money they had, and did not feel a need to expand their empire.
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