McDonald's Day

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: American food Fast Food International
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every April 15
Holiday emoji:: 🍔

McDonald’s Day, celebrated every April 15, marks the anniversary of Ray Kroc’s first McDonald’s restaurant opening in 1955. Join millions worldwide in honoring the brand that revolutionized fast food. Grab a Big Mac, share your favorite memory, and explore its enduring legacy.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected McDonald's Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that McDonald’s Day often brings special offers from the iconic fast-food chain. In past years, fans have enjoyed discounted menu items, exclusive app deals, and even freebies on popular favorites like the Big Mac, fries, or McNuggets. Keep an eye on the McDonald’s app and social media channels for announcements. Competitors like Burger King and Wendy’s might also roll out their own deals to capture attention. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April 15 approaches.

Platform Guide for McDonald's Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #McDonaldsDay. Share your favorite McDonald’s hacks, secret menu items, or a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #McDonaldsDay. Post a photo of your go-to McDonald’s order or a creative flat lay featuring iconic menu items.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #McDonaldsDay. Join the conversation by tweeting your fondest McDonald’s memories or debating the best dipping sauce.

McDonald's Day Hero

Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc was an American businessman who joined McDonald's in 1955 and built it into the world's most successful fast-food operation. He bought out the McDonald brothers' shares in 1961, transforming a small chain into a global empire. Kroc is credited with the aggressive expansion and standardization that defined the modern McDonald's Corporation.

History of McDonald's Day

The very first McDonald’s restaurant was opened by New Hampshire brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald on May 15, 1940, in San Bernardino, California. The McDonald brothers started by serving slow-cooked barbecue, and the business took off quickly. They later found out that 80% of their sales were from hamburgers, so they closed it for three months. They then remodeled it as a self-service restaurant, where customers placed their orders at the windows. It is said that they simplified their menu to just nine: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, three flavors of soft drink, milk, coffee, potato chips, and pie.

The McDonald’s brothers developed the “Speedee Service System,” allowing them to prepare the food quickly. All their hamburgers contained ketchup, mustard, onions, and two pickles. Although this newly remodeled McDonald’s struggled at first, once the brothers replaced potato chips with french fries and introduced triple thick milkshakes, the business started to grow again. In the early 1950s, they saw their profits double. They then established several franchises in California and Arizona. Ray Kroc, a milkshake mixer salesman, visited them in 1954, wondering why McDonald’s would order eight of his multimixers.

Once Kroc knew about McDonald’s restaurant operation, he saw potential in it. He then bought the rights to franchise the brothers’ restaurant across the country. He opened his first McDonald’s franchised restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1955. But, their relationship was contentious due to philosophies that differ on how to run the business. Kroc later purchased the company from the McDonald brothers in 1961. The brothers who lent their name to the business and were pioneers of the business concept gradually faded to the background. They kept their original San Bernardino restaurant until they were out of business eventually.

McDonald's Day timeline

1940

The First McDonald’s

The first McDonald’s restaurant is opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California.

Early 1950s

Doubled Business Profits

McDonald’s profits double, and the brothers establish several franchises.

1955

The First Ray Kroc’s McDonald’s

Kroc opens his first McDonald’s franchised restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois.

1961

The Business is Sold

Kroc purchases the McDonald’s company.

How Businesses Can Celebrate McDonald's Day

Local businesses can tap into the global recognition of McDonald’s Day by offering their own ‘fast-food inspired’ specials or promotions. Restaurants could create a limited-time burger or fry dish, while bakeries might offer themed treats. Retailers could host a ‘golden arches’ scavenger hunt or offer discounts to customers who share their favorite McDonald’s memory. Encourage staff to share their favorite menu items and engage with customers about the holiday.

McDonald's Day FAQs

When is McDonald's Day?

In 2027, McDonald’s Day will be observed on Thursday, April 15, offering another opportunity to honor the fast-food giant and its enduring legacy.

How many McDonald's restaurants are there worldwide?

The number of McDonald’s locations continues to grow, with the company aiming for 50,000 restaurants by 2027. This expansion highlights its ongoing global reach and market dominance.

What is McDonald's economic impact?

Beyond direct employment, McDonald’s fosters economic activity through franchising, real estate, and extensive marketing efforts. Its influence extends to food innovation and consumer trends across the fast-food industry.

What is the origin of the McDonald's golden arches?

When Ray Kroc took over, he incorporated the arches into the corporate logo, transforming them into the recognizable ‘M’ symbol. This design became one of the most famous and enduring corporate logos in the world.

McDonald's Day Activities

Go to McDonald’s
There’s nothing better than going to its restaurant on its day. Order some Chicken McNuggets for a starter. Then continue with the well-known Big Mac along with the World Famous Fries. To finish up, get Coca-Cola and a Vanilla Cone, or McFlurry, or Hot Fudge Sundae.
Spread the word
Tell your family and friends about this fun day in case you want some company. You can order through McDelivery and enjoy the food and drinks together at home. Or, you may want to bring them to McDonald’s and dine in.
Watch “The Founder”
If you’re home alone, you may want to watch the movie “The Founder.” Watch the story about the famous McDonald’s while you’re munching your Double Cheeseburger and McChicken along with the World Famous Fries.

5 Facts About McDonald’s Hamburgers You Need To Know

The burger cost only 15 cents
In the beginning, a McDonald’s burger cost only 15 cents.
Billions of burgers have been sold
It is estimated that billions and billions of McDonald’s burgers have been sold.
A Big Mac was once 45 cents
The first Big Mac was created in 1967 and cost only 45 cents.
It can be a source of protein
It is said that a McDonald’s hamburger contains 25% of your daily value of protein.
Happy Meals were first introduced in 1979
McDonald’s launched its first Happy Meal worldwide in 1979, and in 2021, McDonald’s announced that Happy Meal’s plastic toys would be phased out.

Why We Love McDonald's Day

It’s convenient
McDonald’s can always be an option when you don’t have any idea where to go to eat. They’re everywhere, you know.
It’s affordable
McDonald’s food and drinks are affordable. Not only that, but they are also delicious. They’re worth buying.
It can be a nice place to hang out
If you’re going to hang out with your friends for hours, McDonald’s has got you covered. Sure, they have many selections of food and drinks. Besides that, most of them have spacious dining-in.