Who are the founders of McDonald's?

The founding of McDonald's can be attributed to Richard and Maurice McDonald, who opened the first McDonald's restaurant in San Bernardino, California, in 1940. They pioneered a system of fast food service with an emphasis on efficiency and speed, which laid the groundwork for what McDonald's would become.

Their innovative approach to food preparation and service through a self-service and assembly-line style model allowed them to serve meals quickly and at a lower cost, which captured the attention of many in the industry. This initial concept was vital in establishing the fast-food restaurant model that would later be replicated globally.

Ray Kroc is often associated with the expansion and franchising of McDonald's, but it was the McDonald brothers who created the original concept and established the first restaurant. Thus, recognizing Richard and Maurice McDonald as the founders accurately reflects their foundational role in creating this iconic brand.