Ray Kroc (founder of McDonald's)

Ray Kroc was an American businessman who is credited with expanding McDonald's into a global fast-food empire. Originally a milkshake machine salesman, he joined the company's founders, Richard and Maurice McDonald, in 1954. Kroc saw the potential for a standardized, efficient restaurant model and established the first McDonald's franchise. He emphasized quick service, consistency, and high-quality food, revolutionizing the fast-food industry. Under his leadership, McDonald's grew rapidly, becoming one of the world's most recognizable brands. Kroc's vision transformed a small California restaurant into a global symbol of fast, affordable dining.