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Most of us have probably enjoyed a McDonald’s cheeseburger at some point or at least recognize the famous Golden Arches. You’ve likely come across articles discussing the negative impacts of this fast-food chain, not to mention the frequent headlines about food safety concerns.
However, today we’re not focusing on those aspects. Instead, let’s highlight some of the more remarkable, positive, and downright fascinating details about McDonald’s. Here are ten things about the company that may surprise you.
10. McDonald’s Originally Sold Hot Dogs
In the 1930s, Richard “Dick” and Maurice “Mac” McDonald borrowed $5,000 and launched the global empire we now know as McDonald’s. Their first venture, a restaurant in Monrovia, California, was called the Airdrome, with a menu centered around hot dogs. In 1940, they relocated to San Bernardino and rebranded it McDonald’s Barbecue, but it didn’t gain the success they had hoped for in the following years.
By 1948, the restaurant temporarily closed for a redesign, where they rethought their ideas and finances. When it reopened, it was transformed into the McDonald’s we’re familiar with today. The menu was streamlined to focus on burgers, fries, and milkshakes. The revolutionary assembly line method, known as the “Speedee System,” was inspired by automobile manufacturers and set the stage for fast food chains worldwide.
9. The Hamburger is Healthier Than the Caesar Salad
Before you decide to go for that McDonald’s Caesar salad while your kids indulge in greasy burgers and fries, you might want to rethink. The Caesar salad, created to address concerns about obesity, is not as healthy as you might think. A full Caesar salad from McDonald’s, with the standard dressing and croutons, packs 425 calories and 21.4 grams of fat. In comparison, a hamburger has only 253 calories and 7.7 grams of fat. Quite the difference!
Even McDonald’s chicken nuggets, often criticized for their healthiness, actually contain fewer calories and fat than some “healthier” choices. “But what about the fries?” you might wonder. With fries, the hamburger meal adds up to 459 calories and 16.7 grams of fat, still lower in fat than the Caesar salad. For the health-conscious, skipping the croutons and creamy dressing can dramatically reduce the fat and calorie count of the salad. But, hey, sometimes it’s okay to indulge!
8. The Queen of England is a shareholder in a McDonald’s franchise.
The Queen is involved with a McDonald’s branch located at Banbury Gateway Shopping Park, which is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) from London. This McDonald’s stands out with its plush leather seating, digital menu boards, free Samsung tablets, and table service. Though it isn't directly owned by the Queen, the location is part of land controlled by the Crown Estate.
In fact, this isn't the first McDonald’s franchise on Crown Estate land. In 2008, the Bath Road Retail Park, which cost £92 million, included a McDonald’s along with other stores like B&Q, Comet, JJB Sports, and Mothercare. This property was sold in 2016.
7. McDonald’s refuses service to customers arriving on horseback in the drive-thru.
In 2013, a woman was fined for attempting to use the McDonald’s drive-thru on horseback in Manchester. After being denied service, she entered the restaurant with her horse, which caused a mess. A young girl riding a pony was with her, but only the adult was fined.
The fast food chain responded by taking the woman to court, claiming that her actions caused distress to both customers and employees. Additionally, she was fined for the health and safety hazards her behavior posed. McDonald’s issued a statement emphasizing that for the safety of both customers and staff, they cannot serve pedestrians, cyclists, or individuals on horseback at the drive-thru.
Another similar incident occurred in 2018 when a man tried to take his horse through a drive-thru in Suffolk. Witnesses reported that a staff member had to go outside to deny him service and assist with tying up his horse so he could go inside to order his coffee. Now, that's a display of customer service!
6. Around 80,000 individuals hold a Bachelor's degree in Hamburgerology.
In 1961, Fred Turner, who would later become McDonald’s chairman, established 'Hamburger University' in the basement of a McDonald’s in Illinois. The university's goal was to standardize procedures, service, quality, and cleanliness across all McDonald’s locations. Back in the 1960s, McDonald’s required its employees to earn a diploma from Hamburger University before they could start working behind the counter. As a result, more than 80,000 people have since obtained a degree in Hamburgerology.
Today, several Hamburger Universities exist around the world, serving as the hub for the fast food chain's primary training and development operations. Do you think they offer a master's program?
Approximately 7% of the total potatoes grown in the United States are transformed into McDonald’s French fries. This makes fries an important part of the potato industry and McDonald's success story.
French fries, also known by various names like chips, fries, or frites, have become a global snack. While the origin is debated among the French, Spanish, and Belgians, it is clear that Thomas Jefferson played a key role in bringing them to America. In 1802, Jefferson introduced French-fried potatoes at a White House dinner, much to the gratitude of potato farmers across the country.
Currently, McDonald’s uses around 7% of all potatoes grown in the US to make their famous French fries. These fries, made from real potatoes, are sliced and fried just like other chips, and McDonald's controls over a third of the fries sold in restaurants across the nation, cementing their dominance in the market.
Justin Timberlake earned $6 million for his iconic performance of the ‘Ba-Da-Ba-Ba-Bah’ jingle in McDonald's ‘I’m Lovin’ It’ campaign. The catchy jingle, which became synonymous with the brand, helped make the campaign one of the longest-running and most successful in McDonald's history.
The ‘I’m Lovin’ It’ campaign, with its unforgettable jingle performed by Justin Timberlake, remains one of McDonald’s longest-running ad efforts. Developed by the German agency Heye & Partner in 2003, it marked the brand’s first attempt at a global marketing strategy. Since then, it has been broadcast in 120 countries and translated into 20 languages, solidifying McDonald's place in global marketing history.
For the launch in the US, McDonald’s paid Justin Timberlake a huge $6 million just to sing the jingle. They also funded his 35-city European tour. Remarkably, he didn’t even appear in the original commercial! While it may seem like a significant sum, given the enormous revenue the jingle has generated, he might have deserved even more!
Fun Fact: In November 2003, Pharrell Williams produced an 'I’m Lovin’ It' EP, which included an instrumental version of the jingle. This EP soared to the top of the charts in Belgium, showing just how impactful the campaign was internationally.
In 2006, Disney made the decision to sever its partnership with McDonald’s to address concerns about child obesity. This meant the end of Disney-themed Happy Meal toys, as Disney chose not to renew its contract with the fast food giant, aiming to uphold its family-friendly reputation.
Have you noticed the absence of Disney toys in Happy Meals? In 2006, Disney ended its long-standing partnership with McDonald’s. They decided not to renew their contract, citing their commitment to family values and the desire to distance themselves from the growing concerns over child obesity.
The deal between McDonald’s and Disney was a massive one, valued at over $1 billion and $100 million in royalties. This collaboration helped promote Disney films and TV shows, some of which were aimed directly at McDonald's audience. Additionally, McDonald's had set up stalls within Disney’s renowned theme parks—these too came to an end after the agreement was cut off.
Researchers have supported the idea of moving away from associating children's movie characters with unhealthy food and have instead advocated for promoting nutritious options. This shift was demonstrated in McDonald’s promotions for Shrek 3, where healthier Happy Meal choices like apple slices and salads were highlighted.
In 2018, Disney and McDonald’s renewed their partnership, bringing Disney characters back to the Happy Meals once again.
3. Bill Gates possesses a McDonald’s 'Gold Card' which gives him access to unlimited free fast food.
In stark contrast to the situation of McRefugees, the wealthy seem to enjoy complimentary services, including fast food. Other affluent individuals like Warren Buffet and Rob Lowe also hold Gold Cards, but unlike Bill Gates’s global card, their access is restricted to specific states and cities.
Interestingly, this trend isn't exclusive to McDonald's. Burger King offers a 'Crown Card,' with notable members such as Jennifer Hudson, George Lucas, and Hugh Laurie. Meanwhile, Nandos provides a 'Black Card,' or the 'High Five,' which is only held by Ed Sheeran. Despite the card’s rules, Ed Sheeran posted a selfie with it, causing the image to go viral across the Internet.
Fun Fact: Hugh Laurie earned his Burger King Crown Card by speaking with the company’s PR team and pretending he already possessed one.
5. Their ‘Doors Are Always Open’ Policy Has Resulted in Homeless People Becoming ‘McRefugees’
McDonald’s locations in China and Japan are bustling with activity during the day, but by night, they serve as temporary shelters for the homeless, particularly in Hong Kong. This became widely known after a tragic incident in 2015 when the death of an elderly woman went unnoticed for seven hours at a McDonald's in Hong Kong. In response, the company issued a statement assuring that they welcome 'all walks of life' and have managed to strike a balance between being supportive and ensuring a positive experience.
In Hong Kong, individuals facing extreme poverty are often referred to as 'McRefugees.' These people seek shelter in McDonald’s locations, arriving late at night to rest. To support their elderly customers, the restaurants dim their lights, offering a modest accommodation for those who live below the poverty line.
