
Fast food giant McDonald’s Corp (NYSE:MCD) is one of the largest restaurant companies in the world. Launching in 1940, the company set many standards and firsts for the industry, including the launch of an item in 1979 that transformed the fast food market.
What Happened: The first McDonald’s restaurant was opened in 1940 by brothers Maurice and Richard McDonald. The concept was to offer food at low prices, including a 15 cent hamburger that was cheaper than rivals.