Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First McDonald's Franchise

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 28, 2014

1. First McDonald's Franchise Marker

Inscription. Ray A. Kroc, founder of McDonald's Corporation, opened his first McDonald's franchise (the ninth McDonald's drive-in in the U.S.) on this site April 15, 1955.
In memory of his wisdom and spirt, McDonald's Corporation dedicates this site to Ray A. Kroc, leader and friend, April 15, 1985.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1955.

Location. 42° 2.759′ N, 87° 53.157′ W. Marker is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker is on Lee Street, on the right when traveling south. The site, now demolished, is across the street from a modern McDonald’s with historical displays inside. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Lee Street, Des Plaines IL 60016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. American Airlines Flight 191 Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Grove (approx. 2.8 miles away); Kennicott House (approx. 2.8 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 4.2 miles away); Memorial Walkway (approx. 4½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 4½ miles away); Edison Park World War I Memorial (approx. 4.6 miles away); Harrer Park (approx. 5.3 miles away).

More about this marker. The original 1955 building

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

was demolished in 1984 when a new McDonald’s opened across the street. A replica was later built as a museum. It was demolished in 2018 due to low visitation and repeated flooding of the site. McDonald's donated the land at 400 Lee Street to the city for a park. The modern McDonald's across the street at 444 S River Road, with historical displays inside, was remodeled in 2023.

Also see . . . McDonalds’s #1 Store Museum on Wikipedia. (Submitted on March 27, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 28, 2014

2. First McDonald's Franchise Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 28, 2014

3. First McDonald's Franchise Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 28, 2014

4. First McDonald's Franchise Marker

No longer at this location.

First McDonald's Franchise museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 28, 2014

5. First McDonald's Franchise museum

The building is a replica, and the sign is original.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, September 28, 2014

6. First McDonald's Franchise museum

This site was demolished in 2018 and the vacant land donated to the city for a park.

Photographed By Craig Baker

7. First McDonald's Franchise Marker

This marker is at the modern McDonald's restaurant across the street. “The national chain of McDonald’s was born on this spot with the opening of this restaurant on April 15, 1955.”

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 665 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 26, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 7. submitted on March 11, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the marker - relocated to the newer McDonald’s across the street, if it is there. Photo of today’s restaurant. • Can you help?