The irony that McDonald's was built by a milkshake machine salesman yet their milkshake machines are always broken is almost poetic.

“It’s better to have one great restaurant than 50 mediocre ones.” It’s so weird to hear that in a story about McDonald’s.

If there was a third McDonald brother, Ray could have been the quarter founder with cheese.

The McDonald brother who lived longer was interviewed in a documentary and it was said that the McDonald brothers knew Ray Croc would be successful so they invested in McDonalds and did quite well as a result. So, they felt very warmly toward Ray Croc because their stock really paid off. I recall reading that Ray had to borrow from all kinds of places such as foundations that lent out to pay off the McDonald brothers.

Let's all take a moment to appreciate Keaton's acting. He's such an understated, versatile actor that puts his all into every film. It's unreal.

When I was in rehab for addiction they played us this movie as an example that no matter where we were in life we could always recover and build great success. The next day they played 'What about Bob?' 🤣

The McDonald brothers continued to make appearances at annual owner conventions well into their later years. That's a fact rarely mentioned. If they were really upset with the corporation then I doubt they would have done this.

I worked at a McDonald’s restaurant during high school in the 1980s. I clearly remember that each location had a wall plaque commemorating Ray Kroc. I guess it was a corporate tactic to erase the legacy of the McDonald brothers.

Does anyone else get unreasonably excited whenever there’s another History Buffs video out? 😂

History Buffs understands that it’s better to have one great video than 50 mediocre ones.

Fun fact: Joan Kroc gave $200 million to National Public Radio in her will. At the time, it was twice the annual NPR budget, and continues to fund the service today.

From Mr. Mom to Pacific heights, to Batman, The Founder and more, Micheal Keaton has been a wonderful and versatile actor in many roles. I'm glad to see he is still active and I did like this movie. Thank you History Buffs for your analysis. Best to all.

He actually did a handshake deal like in the movie with an ice cream supplier, who later sued McD and I think settled out of court for millions, so he was known to make deals like that and to break them.

My dad disputed with me that McDonalds first restaurant was in Des Plaines Illinois I told him that’s a lie created by Ray Kroc and the real one was in Cali….needless to say he said “That’s a load of Kroc”

This is the kind of content that brings me back to a channel. Well-researched, thorough and interesting. History Buffs, and Gaming Historian videos will always get me to click on them.

I think the most important aspect is the milkshakes. See, you really have to understand how they used to be made, milk, ice cream, flavour. Let me tell you about this time I worked as a Gelato maker. Very tiny factory making products for a restaurant chain. Within a couple of meters of floor space, we managed to fit in the production of ice cream / Gelato. It starts with the milk pasteuriser. A large machine which churns and heats the milk. Then, you have those soft serve machines, they mix and chill the milk plus two items, base and paste. The base makes the ice cream and the paste is what you add to it afterwards, drizzle on top. So, there is a fundamental shift between a large factory making just ice cream, to the process of making ice cream being distributed. I would say this shift was the key to McDonalds long term success. Distribution is everything that makes a large business like this work. You couldn't possibly store all of that ice cream on site for so damn long, and to be honest with you, it's actually much easier then you might think to make ice cream. You can literally do it at home, the machinery is not as complicated as you might think, and I seriously laugh at the price tag placed on Italian ice cream, it's a joke. Soft serve is simply just a less frozen version of ice cream. Ice cream was designed to be much colder for long term storage, by keeping soft serve a bit warmer, you reduce a substantial cost right there. People assume soft serve is an inferior product, no, they are just saving costs on refrigeration. And yeah, it cuts down on the cleaning costs as well.

This was such an underrated movie, and I'm surprised it didn't win any awards.

My father, Carl Eriksen, was Ray Kroc's personal assistant from 1966 to 1970. He is briefly mentioned in Kroc's book. I knew Ray Kroc and his wife Jane. (there was a short-lived experiment called "Jane Dobbin's Pie Restaurant") I was around when Ray divorced her for Joan (not Joanne as you say in this video). In 1970, my parents and I went to Hamburger University in Elk Grove, Illinois (west of Chicago). I was the youngest graduate at age 14! I still have the diploma. Kroc was supposed to help my parents start up their own franchise but somehow that deal did not materialize. I can personally vouch for the portrayal of Kroc in the film. He was a ruthless and angry man with a huge ego. When he bought the San Diego Padres baseball team, he got into trouble with the Commissioner of Baseball because he used the PA system to apologize to the fans for his team's poor performance in 1977. He was a control freak and everything had to go his way. He would often visit a McDonald's in his Rolls Royce and if there was trash in the parking lot he would personally pick it up and then berate the manager.

Kroc was nothing but a true businessman, shrewd, conniving, inventive, sneaky,but still a true businessman.

Burger in 30 seconds? Oh dear, I wonder why that's not a slogan anymore 😂

I find it amazing how In 'N' Out has kept it simple to just hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes. It is what Mcdonald's would probably be if it had never changed anything about itself from its first restaurants.

For a company that was all about speed and efficiency, it’s kinda weird that they dived into making pizza in the 80’s. Pizza can be made faster today, but back then it took a lot more time.

I was the extra in this movie at 24:40 smoking the cigarette 😂 Did a lot of background work while I lived in Georgia but this was by far one of the more fun sets to work on

As someone who was raised off baseline, I do have an immense pride for San Bernardino and San Bernardino county. It's crazy, the origins of Mcdonald's and Taco Bell are in San Bernardino and both franchises became what they are today by essentially appropriating hard-working SB restaurants; in Taco Bell's case a restaurant called Mitla Cafe that's still open. Even though Dino is a dump I'm glad my city/county is getting some love and recognition

I had to do a paper on this movie once. My favorite part has always been Ray Croc in his car, staring menacingly at a McDonald's from afar like a stalker.

Ray Kroc also knew Walt Disney the creator of Disney and was close friends with him as they both served in the same ambulance corps as ambulance drivers during ww1 which was when they met.

Funny story. My class watched this movie in social studies and we actively cheered when Ray Croc got divorced because we all hated him so much. This is a great movie

The interesting thing about the Filet O'Fish is that the recipe for it was actually invented by the Cincinnati franchisee, who pitched it to the corporation. And the corporation just took it and rolled it out to the rest of the stores and the guy never saw a dime for it.

You forgot to mention the scene where the brothers put a voodoo curse on every restaurant so their ice cream machines are always broken. Can we take a moment to admire Michael Keaton’s acting in this movie? He plays Kroc as such a BASTARD, and evokes such an angry reaction from the audience (at least from me) that you forget at times that you’re watching Michael Keaton playing someone else and not just seeing the person he’s portraying. Keaton’s acting talents aren’t discussed anywhere near as much as I think they should be these days.

The Fillet-O-Fish wasn't created by Ray Croc, it was created by Louis Groen the Cincinnati McDonald's operator, Ray Croc wanted the "Hula Burger" which replaced the burger with pineapple there was a competition at the store who sold more and the fish won

Kind of hard to believe that that is Nick Offerman playing one of the McDonald's brothers without the beard.

My question is....I remember in the 70s when McDonald''s was still fast. Real fast. And now, I mean hell, if you get your order in 10 mins you're lucky.

Before they owned a restaurant, the McDonald brothers had a theater and a hot dog stand. In 1930, with whatever money they had scraped together, they purchased a 750-seat movie theater 20 miles outside Los Angeles in Glendora, calling it the Beacon Theatre. But this being the Great Depression, it did poorly. They noticed that kids seemed to always have enough money for food like burgers and soda. So with a $5,000 loan, the McDonald brothers started the Airdrome hot dog stand in 1937 by an airfield in Monrovia, calling it The Airdome, and they targeted spectators who were watching the planes. This was a success, but they predicted that in the future, they'd need to appeal to cars. So they moved to San Bernardino, changed the name to McDonald's, and the rest is history. Despite hot dogs being their heritage, Ray Kroc didn't even want to serve hot dogs even if there was demand for them. Why? Because to him, there was no way of knowing what was inside them.

Ray Kroc was a SOB and that’s why he was so successful. One thing you can be sure about in life; shit always floats to the top. I loved your review. I always look forward to a new episode of History Buffs.

This is a fairly decent movie adaptation and yes, it does cut a few corners and leave some historical facts out to help the pace of the film. About 20 years ago I bought a book called McDonalds: Behind The Arches by John F. Love. I still have it and have read it many times. It is a fascinating read and goes into much of the pre-history of the McDonald brothers and various other California fast food operations that began around the same time as well as the development of the company after Ray Kroc took full control and goes well into modern times. I recommend getting a copy if you are genuinely interested in the history of McDonalds.

I worked at Mcdonalds since 2020 having since left early this year and while I heard of this movie before working there, I didn't actually watch it until I started and at the time I was surprised that this is how they do things and in terms of the cooking side, it hasn't changed much apart from the expansion of the menu The entire franchise thing is actually crazy when you think that there can be 100s of franchisees depending on the country, the franchisee I used to work for owned 3-4 stores in two different cities. I only saw him once since they don't visit stores too often in the year and its mainly the assistant franchisee who makes these visits. (Normally during a new promotion) But from what little I saw from him as well as hear about, he's what you expect, only cares about the profits sees the crew members as numbers etc although the assistant franchisee seemed much more active willing to help out in the kitchens and anywhere he can and was alright to deal with But it's fascinating how one guy started all this by basically stealing another business, in fact I remember that my store had put up a lot of motivational quotes for morale purposes and I remember seeing one quote by Ray Kroc. I don't remember what it was exactly but I found it funny knowing what he is actually like although I guess in a way he was the founder of the Mcdonalds my store was based on. So yeah really enjoyed the film and I'm glad to be out there and just one little thing, when I first watched the film I noticed that the franchisee at 13:19 wears clothing that is similar to what the shift managers wear in UK Mcdonalds, I'm guessing this was a style at the time but back then I thought maybe the outfits hadn't changed in the last 70 years so And to finish off, the ice creams and milkshakes at my store works fine

I remembered watching this movie with my dad. When they did the montage of new restaurants opening up in the Midwest, he was surprised to see his hometown as the home of the first Mc D’s in the state.

I liked "The Founder". It was directed by the same guy who did "Saving Mr. Banks", another period piece that's a look behind the curtain of a beloved product, in that case, the film "Mary Poppins". Interestingly, both movies had BJ Novak, playing Harry Sonneborn and Robert Sherman, respectively. Ray Kroc truly was the hero AND the villain of his own life's story. One thing they don't mention was that before meeting the McDonald brothers, Kroc had already met Carl Karcher of Carl's Jr. fame. He had developed a kitchen system similar to the Speedee system, though a little different.

This an excellent and underrated film, with one of Michael Keaton’s superb portrayals.

My father who was a researcher and diabetes professor actually knew Mr Ray Kroc and was invited to his mansion several times during the years for dinner. Mr Kroc has donated a great deal of money for diabetes research and every year the worlds leading researcher is awarded the "Ray A. and Robert L. Kroc Award" in Uppsala, Sweden. Some of the researchers have been candidates for the Nobel Prize. To conclude, Mr Kroc might have been a tough "businessman" but did a lot of good stuff too! My father liked him a lot./Ulf Hellerstrom, Sweden

Neil Jordan's 1996 Biopic of Michael Collins starring Liam Neeson would be a great video topic. So much context to go over, not to mention how he died 100 years ago this past August

When you get your first acting job after working at McDonalds for 5 years and then you play a McDonalds worker 💀

He founded the company that exists. He founded the company that expanded, standardized and monetized the franchises. He founded the company that bought out the original company. He is the founder of the business. The other guy's were founders of burger cooking and selling. I love this movie. Keatons portrayal of Kroc is a role model of mine. He did what he had to do and made it happen and happen big.

Thank you for this one. I've been wondering about the accuracy of The Founder since I first watched it.

It’s always a good day when a new History Buffs drops!

This movie makes me hungry for Wendy’s. I also love how the running joke now is that the milkshake machine never works at a McDonald’s restaurant.

Its so weird that if you are like me and grew up in Illinois, the knowledge that Ray started McDs and built the first one (which I drove by a lot growing up in IL) is almost gospel. Another great vid!

One thing I went into this movie in mind was that this was a Business man, building a brand into a powerhouse, so I already knew that there were going to be morally unusual choices made to expand his fortunes.

Learning about the history of fast food restaurants is always fascinating, such a huge part of most of the lives in America and most people dont look deeper.

People forget that Kroc saw Californians as wanting customization and therefore an inconsistent menu would happen. But by opening the Midwest, you get employees from a culture that does not like to rock the boat. And he even said so. Illinois also had Route 66 and was a popular gateway when the US Highway System built that took people out west.

There are plaques on the walls of thousands of McDs around the world right now with Ray Croc's image on them stating that he was the Founder of McDs.

I find it funny that Ray Kroc hated the idea of his business partners selling fried chicken at McDonald’s restaurants even though today they sell Crispy Chicken Burgers

Half in the Bag and History Buffs in the same day?? Must be heaven

This is one of my most favorite films. It may be "off the beaten path" unlike the super-popular films that everyone knows, but it's written well and tells a great story.

I remember wondering as a kid back in the 90s why it was called McDonald’s if the “founder” was named Ray Kroc. It wasn’t until fairly recently (before the movie) that I learned the answer to that.

it's kinda surreal actually living like a block away from the Downey McDonald's cause I see tourists all the time and think "I've been going here my whole life like normal and for some, this is a destination."

This was such a great movie. Keaton’s performance was superb, as were Nick Offerman and John Caroll Lynch as the brothers. Heart breaking scenes near the end.

It seemed to gloss over the fact Kroc had exponentially more financial resources the brothers did. Knowing a CEO of Tasty Freeze for one ... I'm sure the " country club " guys had names too. More a" rich taking from hard working folks and getting richer" story, than a "pulled up by boot straps" story.

I’m just glad they named the Big Mac after Mac and not his brother …

I really wish Nick would make a video on "Che", a 2008 flick about Che and the Cuban Revolution as a background. It would be so interesting to view it from a historian's perspective just like he did with "The Death of Stalin". Please give it a thumbs up if you agree :)

Babe wake up, new History Buffs!

Outstanding as always. It's a really small thing but John Carroll Lynch is such an underrated character actor. Everything he does is awesome. Thanks for all the hard work.

History buffs: American Gangster Please

Ray Kroc is one of those guys who you would usually admire but insists on acting so much like a child that you can't

Ray Kroc reminds of something a business man once said, "You can make friends and you can make money, but you can't at the same time." I don't agree with that but others do.

It is a testament to his ego that most if not all McDonald's have a plaque with Ray's version of the story on display.

Gotta say, I absolutely felt that the company 100% Beef scared me when I was young. I was convinced that meal worms were being used.

So glad you're back!! Love your videos!! Many, many, thanks!

I grew up in Devon in the 1970s. My mum was from London, my dad was Irish. My mum's mum, my grandmother used to come and visit us in the summer and I remember her telling me about McDonalds and how it was like INSTANT cooked food that was really tasty. I think I first tried one when I was ten. She said "Its all the new thing. Fast food." I kind of imagined chefs on roller skates hahahaha

1:34 I’d argue that he revolutionized restaurants on a global scale considering how big a lot of these franchises are globally

I have Ray Krocs book "how to run a restaurant" published by Iowa State University Press back in the 1960s. As a former restaurant manager it is worth its weight in gold

14:14 I was hoping he would say “your not in the burger business your in the empire business” like in breaking bad (;

This one of those movies that I could watch and watch again. Most people I know found it boring but I found it very interesting.

I really enjoyed that movie, the story was just heartbreaking so I'm happy that you're making an episode about it. I also love mid 20th century Americana and something about retro McDonald's is so cool

Thanks for for putting the sponsor break at the end. You're the real MVGOAT

Watching Keaton pushing the franchise idea reminds me of his acting in Beetlegeuse... it's show time...

Mark Knopfler wrote a song about Ray Krok and McDonalds called Boom, Like That which is basically the entire story of the Founder, I always thought it odd that it didn't play in the end credits of the movie.

I'm glad you can still make shorter but still detailed videos

I grew up in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. We frequented the McDonalds on Higgins Rd and I always remember Hamburger University right next door. I had no idea about this history even though I was raised in that town.

I remember the QSCV motto when I worked @ McDonalds when I was 15. Loved this movie

I was born and raised in San Bernardino. My aunt worked at the first Mc Donald's as a car hop and my mom worked at the one across the street years later. Fun fact: The site of the original is a parking lot and the one across the street is a Mc Donald's museum.

Nick, you knocked another one out of the park. This was excellent.

I hope History Buffs reviews the underrated 1992 French war film, “Dien Bien Phu”.

my father is a Project Manager at Mcdonalds in Chicago. i was taken to visit the new HQ which sucks and the old Sugar Grove HQ qhich was amazing to tour. i remember evertime i went there we would drive past Hamburger University and go into the main building to see the artwork lining the walls and the open lighting style. now they are in a generic office building with exposed support beams to make it look rustic. anyone who knows anyone who worked in Sugar Grove knows how great of an HQ it was.

This is insane. Wanted to watch this movie for a long time. Finally did just a week ago! Love new History Buff videos and especially since I am prepared for this one! Thank you so much for your work

I can't help but notice a pattern in these stories. It starts out with a pair of partners/co-founders: one does the business and the other is the creative mind. The idea takes off and becomes a booming success. However, one of the partners eventually betrays the other and seizes full control of the company. More often than not, it's the buisnessman screwing over the creative mind/s. For example: Jobs and Woz, and here with Kroc and the McDonalds brothers. I think one of the only times it was the other way around was when Mark Zuckerberg cut Eduardo Saverin from Facebook.

"Contracts are like hearts. They're made to be broken." Cold AF

Thanks for the vid. Always great.

The casting was incredible. I had no idea how close the Brothers looked like that. 3:50

Great content like always!! Hey Nick...Have you ever thought about an International History Buffs movie reviews? There are lots of historical movies out there which aren't necessarly made in Hollywood and have lots of efforts and love in their making. It could help people extend their knowledge and their attention towards a wider selection of historical movies.

A couple of history based films I would like to see are "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Bugsy."

In an ironic twist of giving Ray credit for something he didn't technically do, this video attributes the Filet-o-fish to him though he didn't introduce nor invent it. It was actually the idea of one of his bigger franchisees, which Ray fought against due to the costs of sourcing the fish patties, instead wanting to push his idea for a no-meat burger with a slice of pineapple instead of a patty. To choose the option to adopt, they put both on the menu in a test area, and the fish sandwich trounced the pineapple one by a landslide.

Underrated movie. 'McDonalds: The Movie' was excellent and overall, for a Hollywood movie, they did good job balancing this where Crok is no hero but he's not a bad guy either. Neither were the McDonald brothers heroes or villains. It was legit fascinating to see what became a massive cultural phenom, the quirky things, the biggest moves dared and the whole thing was very very well done

Keaton nailed it yet again, excellent actor

Quality video as always Nick. Would love for you to make a video on The Big Short

The film did a solid job with the “the hero was the villain all along” twist.

Another inconsistency - if anyone's ever been to San Bernardino, they know there isn't much lush greenery around like in the film. It's in the desert. Minor thing, but stuck out to me! Great History Buffs video!!!

This is easily my favourite channel on youtube. I wish there were more videos coming out, but I understand the amount of work that goes into each one.

Thanks for reviewing this movie. the story of a salesman who founded a fast-food franchise worth millions of dollars doesn't sound like world changing drama. Except he did change it, just a little bit, and that's dramatic enough. I was impressed by how hard the movie tried to get the USA of the Fifties right. Lots of the scenes looked like they came from my grandparents' photo albums.

He is the founder because he is Batman!