- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRaymond Albert Kroc
- Ray Kroc was born on October 5, 1902 in Oak Park, Illinois, USA. He was married to Joan B. Kroc, Jane Dobbins Green and Ethel Fleming. He died on January 14, 1984 in San Diego, California, USA.
- SpousesJoan B. Kroc(March 8, 1969 - January 14, 1984) (his death)Jane Dobbins Green(February 23, 1963 - 1969) (divorced)Ethel Fleming(June 2, 1923 - 1961) (divorced, 1 child)
- First invested into McDonald's at the age of 52.
- He came up with the idea of franchising McDonald's.
- Met Walt Disney while both were training to drive ambulances for the Red Cross during World War I; the War ended before they could be sent overseas. Years later, Kroc approached Disney about opening a McDonald's at Disneyland, but the deal fell through when Kroc rebuffed Disney's demand to increase the price of McDonald's French fries from 10 to 15 cents.
- Made a deal with Maurice McDonald and Richard McDonald in 1954 to be the exclusive franchisee for their McDonald's restaurant. When Kroc learned that the McDonalds had made a deal with another man to open franchises, Kroc bought him out, and, in 1961, bought the McDonalds' name and rights to their "speedee service system" concept for $2 million cash.
- His net worth was estimated at five-hundred million dollars at the time of his death.
- The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.
- If you work just for money, you'll never make it, but if you love what you're doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours.
- You're only as good as the people you hire.
- The two most important requirements for major success are: first, being in the right place at the right time, and second, doing something about it.
- Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get.
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