The Oldest McDonald's is Not the First — But It’s Still in SoCal

Anyone who has spent time in the United States has at least seen a McDonalds. It exists in many countries worldwide, so it’s hard to avoid running into one. For some, they’re an eyesore and a disappointment. For others, however, it’s a quick meal and can even provide some nostalgia to one’s younger days.

The state in the U.S. that undeniably could claim the most McDonald’s sentimentality is California. The first ever McDonalds was opened in San Bernardino CA in 1940, though a hot-dog-focused predecessor was opened in Monrovia by the McDonald brothers even before that. Since then, both of these iconic locations have closed their doors, but the now oldest McDonald’s restaurant continues to operate in Downey CA.

Of course, the McDonald brothers aren’t the ones who most people think of when they think of the fast food giant. Ray Kroc is the name that most people know. He became especially famous when The Founder (2016) was released, which told the story of the restaurant chain’s explosive growth. Interestingly enough, Kroc’s first McDonald’s franchise was located in a suburb of Chicago IL, not in California.

At this point, the restaurant giant is almost unrecognizable. What was once a short and simple menu has evolved into a selection of “artisan” items, value meals, and kids offerings. By some estimation, McDonald’s is now the world’s largest distributor of toys due to their Happy Meal playthings. These small trinkets also have had a cultural impact. Some have collected them and attempted to reap a profit years later. According to one analysis from Life Storage, each one sells for $8.15 more on average than their original purchase price. That’s a pretty significant return.

Ray Kroc may not be the most well-loved individual in America’s history, but there’s no denying his success in business or the impact he had on the country. So, what lessons can be learned from him if you want to be successful? First, there’s a reason people come to Southern California to make it big. It’s an area of opportunity, which is exactly what Kroc found. One light-hearted lesson is to avoid Manhattans, which he thought were “for sissies.” So stick to drinking mojitos or margaritas, which are reportedly both top drinks in Los Angeles anyway. And finally, don’t feel the need to reinvent the wheel. Kroc recognized excellence in the McDonald brothers’ original restaurant and built an empire from there.