McDonald's has restaurants all over the world, and is the most recognized fast food retailer in the world. It has over 18,000 restaurants world wide, and it has thousands in the U.S. alone. McDonald's uses over $1 billion in advertising each year, which keeps the public aware of its presence. In 1995, it opened over 1000 new restaurants all over the world. Most of McDonald's profits come from overseas, where its mostly American foods are appealing.

Dick and Mac McDonald opened the first McDonald's in 1948, in San Bernadino, California. In 1954, Ray Kroc also joined them in their business. By 1959, McDonald's had sold its 100 millionth hamburger, and opened its 100th store. At that time, McDonald's was going full speed, and Kroc bought out the McDonald brothers. McDonald's began airing TV commercials, and expanding to other countries in the 1960's, and adding new menu entrees such as the happy meal, and quarter pounder in the late 1970's. The rate that McDonald's was adding restaurants was also increasing. The restaurants were opening by the hundreds each year, and the whole world was able to eat at one. Also, in 1996, McDonald's opened restaurants in India, and added about 80 in Italy.

NYSE symbol: MCD