The Surprising Origins of McDonald's

McDonald's did not begin as a global empire, but as a small 1940 barbecue restaurant. It took fifteen years to transform into the burger chain we recognize today.

The original menu actually focused on barbecue sandwiches rather than the famous burgers sold today. The company only shifted its business model in 1948 to focus on the speed and efficiency of a limited menu. This pivot to a streamlined assembly line style of food production paved the way for the massive expansion that followed. It is a classic example of how a simple business pivot can change the course of culinary history.