The McDonald's Corporation is the world's largestchain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around68 million customers daily in 119countries.[4][5] Headquartered in the United States, thecompany began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operatedby Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948 they reorganizedtheir business as a hamburger stand using production lineprinciples. Businessman Ray Kroc joined the company as afranchise agent in 1955. He subsequently purchased the chain fromthe McDonald brothers and oversaw its worldwide growth.[6]A McDonald's restaurant is operated by either a franchisee,an affiliate, or the corporation itself. McDonald'sCorporation revenues come from the rent, royalties, and fees paidby the franchisees, as well as sales in company-operatedrestaurants. In 2012, McDonald's Corporation had annual revenuesof $27.5 billion, and profits of $5.5 billion.[7]McDonald's primarilysells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken, frenchfries, breakfast items, softdrinks, milkshakes, and desserts. In response to changingconsumer tastes, the company has expanded its menu toinclude salads, fish, wraps, smoothies, andfruit
