found: English Wikipedia website, viewed May 21, 2012(McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 68 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the U.S., the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948 they reorganized their business as a hamburger stand using production line principles. Businessman Ray Kroc joined the company as a franchise agent in 1955. He subsequently purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers and oversaw its worldwide growth; Founded May 15, 1940 in San Bernardino, Calif.; McDonald's Corporation, Apr. 15, 1955 in Des Plaines, Ill.; Founder(s): Richard and Maurice McDonald, McDonald's restaurant concept; Ray Kroc, McDonald's Corporation founder; Headquarters: Oak Brook, Ill.)
