Ray Kroc McDonalds
In 1917, Ray Kroc was fifteen years-old and lied about his age to join the Red Cross as an ambulance driver. ... So, Ray had to find work, which he did, first as a piano player and then, in 1922, as a salesman for the Lily Tulip Cup Co. ... Fascinated by the speed and efficiency of the machine, Kroc obtained exclusive marketing rights from Prince. ... Kroc saw the restaurant in 1954 and was rapt by the efficiency of the operation. ... Kroc started thinking about building McDonalds stores all over the U. ... " Kroc replied: "Well, what about me?" Ray Kroc opened the Des Plaines restaurant in 1955. ... His obsession with Quality, Service, Cleanliness and Value, the unwavering mission of McDonalds, was gathering momentum. Kroc was good at identifying popular trends. ... One went to McDonalds to eat, not to dine. Ray Kroc had created one of the most compelling brands, but ultimately it was his decision to use real estate as a financial lever that made McDonalds a feasible operation. In 1956, Kroc set up the Franchise Realty Corporation, buying up tracts of land and acting as a landlord to eager franchisees. With this step, McDonalds began to generate real income, and the company took off. By 1960, there were more than 200 McDonalds outlets across the country, a rapid expansion fueled by low franchising fees. Kroc was even more convinced than the McDonald brothers, and eventually persuaded them into selling out to him in 1961 for a paltry $2. ... That same year, the 500th McDonalds restaurant opened and the famous clown, Ronald McDonald, made his debut. ... " Ray Kroc followed the Schumpter Innovation model for entrepreneurs. ... Ray also encouraged corporate intraprenuerial strategy and was happy to hear new ideas from franchise owners. Kroc then introduced national advertising programs to support the rapidly thriving franchises, and when it appeared that growth in the companys home territory was slowing in the early 1970s, he started a successful push to make McDonalds a global presence. Throughout the companys spectacular growth, Kroc maintained a delicate balancing act, imposing system-wide standards while encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit that welcomed ideas from all levels.