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
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. It is on Lee Street, on the right when traveling south. The site, now demolished, is across the street from a modern McDonalds which contains a commemorative plaque. 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 09.11.2001 (approx. 0.3 miles away); 9/11 Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Des Plaines Savings & Loan Association (approx. half a mile away); Des Plaines Pumping Station Cornerstone (approx. half a mile away); Des Plaines Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2992 (approx. half a mile away); Shari L. Caine Memorial Street Lamp (approx. half a mile away); Socrates Rand Grist Mill (approx. half a mile away); Elmer Zaleski (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Des Plaines.
More about this marker. The original 1955 building was demolished in 1984 when a new McDonalds 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. As of 2025 the site remains vacant. The modern McDonald's across the street at 444 S River Road has a commemorative plaque next to the front counter, and used to include historical
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 28, 2014
2. First McDonald's Franchise Marker
The marker and structures were removed in 2018.
Also see . . . McDonald's No. 1 Store Museum - on Wikipedia. (Submitted on March 27, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 28, 2014
3. First McDonald's Franchise museum
The building is a replica, and the sign is original.
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, August 3, 2025
4. Site of the original building at 400 Lee Street
The museum was demolished in 2018 and the vacant land donated to the city for a park.
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, August 3, 2025
5. McDonald's Restaurant across the street
At 444 S River Road.
Photographed by Nathan Bierma, August 3, 2025
6. First McDonald's Franchise Marker
Next to the front counter of the restaurant.
Photographed by Craig Baker, circa 2019
7. First McDonald's Franchise Marker
The national chain of McDonalds was born on this spot with the opening of this restaurant on April 15, 1955.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,546 times since then and 198 times this year. Last updated on August 4, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 26, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 4, 2025, by Nathan Bierma of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 7. submitted on March 11, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
