15 Vintage Photos of McDonald’s That Will Take You Back
McDonald’s started in 1940, but it was the 1955 launch of Ray Kroc’s franchise model that turned it into a fixture of American life. By the 1970s, the restaurant had become a recognizable stop almost anywhere in the country.
These photos are a reminder of what it was like to dine at this chain back in the day.
The Arches That Started It All
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Architect Stanley Meston originally designed McDonald’s with a low-profile roof, but it didn’t sit right with the McDonald brothers. They asked for something bolder, which led to the addition of the now-famous golden arches. The Downey, California, location still operates with that 1953 red-and-white design.
A Museum Tribute to the First McDonald’s
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In Des Plaines, Illinois, McDonald’s built a replica of its original 1955 franchise to honor its beginnings. It’s known as the McDonald’s No. 1 Museum and reproduced the original 1955 McDonald’s. Repeated flood damage and limited visitors led to its demolition in 2018, but photos still capture how different the early experience was.
Customers Walked Right Up to Order
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Before drive-thrus and mobile apps, McDonald’s relied on a “drive-up” system. Customers parked and walked to a window to place their orders. This setup kept things simple and fast, especially since the kitchen was already working on the next round of food thanks to the streamlined Speedee system inside.
The Assembly Line That Changed Fast Food
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Inspired by Henry Ford’s auto assembly method, the Speedee Service System divided labor among employees. Workers performed one task over and over, which allowed food to be assembled rapidly and consistently. This method helped McDonald’s outpace competitors and shape what we now recognize as the fast-food model.
The Original Menu Was Short and Sweet
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Back in the mid-1950s, McDonald’s kept things minimal with just nine menu items. Customers could choose from hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, a few drinks, and three milkshake flavors. Fries replaced potato chips in 1949, and the restaurant quickly became known for offering basic, affordable options that hit the spot.
Orders Were Handwritten on Paper Tickets
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Every order was ticked by hand at the window on a simple ticket. Burgers cost just 15 cents, and the entire menu stayed under a quarter per item. For large groups, customers could buy burgers by the dozen, a practice that emphasized McDonald’s focus on speed and convenience.
Burgers Were Pre-Made and Ready to Go
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To maintain their quick turnaround, McDonald’s workers prepared burgers ahead of time using the standard toppings: ketchup, mustard, onions, and two pickles. The sandwiches were kept warm under heat lamps, with special orders requiring a short wait. It was all about efficiency, even if that meant fewer customizations.
Fries Kept Their Classic Look and Taste
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The fries in 1955 came in Speedee-branded paper bags and tasted relatively close to what McDonald’s serves today. These shoestring fries were seasoned simply and marketed as “salty goodness.” Though the oil formula has changed over the years, the iconic cut and crispiness remain a signature feature.
A Milkshake Machine Sparked the Franchise
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Ray Kroc discovered the McDonald brothers while selling Multimixers, machines capable of making five milkshakes at once. Intrigued by their volume of orders, Kroc visited their San Bernardino restaurant in 1954 and proposed franchising the model.
Parking Lot Picnics Were the Norm
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Early McDonald’s locations had no indoor seating and no drive-thru lanes. Patrons ate in their cars or stood outside. Signs boasting 15-cent hamburgers drew in crowds. By 1968, there were over 1,000 McDonald’s restaurants across the country.
Nancy Reagan’s Surprise McDonald’s Visit During Drug Awareness Tour
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While launching McDonald’s national drug prevention program in 1984, Nancy Reagan visited a McDonald’s in Atlanta and ordered a Big Mac, fries, and an orange drink. Though the trip was part of her campaign against youth drug use, it quickly turned political as reporters pressed her on hot-button issues. With cameras rolling, she joked with a reporter who spoke too loudly and reminded the crowd, “I’m here for drugs”—clarifying, of course, that she meant prevention.
A Wedding Ceremony Served with Fries
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In 1975, a couple exchanged vows inside a McDonald’s, and the trend hasn’t disappeared. Fast forward to 2021, an Ontario pair wed in a drive-thru lane. Some U.S. franchises have hosted similar celebrations.
Happy Meals Brought Toys and Excitement to the Table
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Happy Meals debuted in the U.S. in 1979, bundling a burger, fries, soda, and cookies in a colorful box that came with a toy. In later years, healthier items like apple slices and yogurt were added. Children today can even swap toys for books, though the original thrill of discovery remains.
Burger King’s Boldest Attacks on McDonald’s
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In 1998, Burger King posted a taunting billboard near McDonald’s headquarters, but that was only the beginning. A 2019 ad campaign revealed that for a full year, Burger King had been placing a Big Mac behind every Whopper in its ads to emphasize that the Whopper is visibly larger than the Big Mac. These marketing stunts fueled the ongoing competition between the fast-food giants.
Why McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets Come in Only Four Shapes
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Chef René Arend invented Chicken McNuggets in 1979 and rolled them out across U.S. menus by 1981. After production caught up with demand, a global release followed in 1983. Each nugget is made in one of four shapes: bell, ball, bow-tie, and boot, to guarantee even cooking.