McDonald's

Founded by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1940, the company underwent a major shift in 1955 when businessman Ray Kroc joined as a franchise agent, eventually purchasing the company and expanding it globally.

The company adapts its menu to local tastes, such as offering vegetarian options in countries with high vegetarian populations or specific regional breakfast items.

McDonald's operates as a global food service retailer. It has evolved from a single drive-in restaurant into a massive corporation with a significant impact on international commerce.

McDonald's is often used as a metric for economic health, such as the 'Big Mac Index,' which compares the purchasing power of different currencies around the world.

The company functions primarily through a franchise business model, where the corporation owns the land and leases it to franchisees who manage the daily operations and labor.