Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's

Loads of takeaway inspiration mainly from Ray's innovation, but the main take home point for me was it's never too late...(the guy was in his fifties when the opportunity made itself known)

.....of the genesis of a commercial organisation that now has spread it's 'fast food' tentacles to just about every corner of the world, and is now arguably the most well known retail brand name ever known.The founder of McDonald's Ray Kroc (helped by Robert Anderson) recounts his visit in 1954 to San Bernardino near San Diego to call upon the McDonald Brothers who owned a small 200 feet square food outlet. He was visiting them hopeful of selling them one or more of the milk shake machines he was hawking wherever he saw an opportunity but what he found was at the age of 52, an idea that he instantly thought would be a great business opportunity if 'rolled out' by way of company owned branches or franchises across the States.....low cost quality hamburgers (in those days selling for fifteen cents) with well sourced and cooked fries, a milk shake, and little else. He tried to persuade the Brothers to go into business together with the intention of expanding the business but were only interested if Ray Kroc was solely responsible for the opening of all new outlets as they were quite happy with their lifestyles and didn't want the additional aggravation. A contract was drawn up and at the age of 52 with diabetes and incipient arthritis he found himself embarking upon a business for which he had little experience.The outcome of this entrepreneurial 'gamble' is well known and just about everybody is aware of the phenomenal success of the McDonald business but this book in a very 'folksie' narrative fills in the way the McDonald very simple and straightforward philosophy was evolved, and implemented across the whole business of fast food retailing from ingredient sourcing, preparation, staff attitudes, interior design, imaging, marketing and advertising.Whilst this book was completed in 1977, just 7 years before Mr Kroc died aged 82, and only obviously deals with the company's progress until that time, it certainly very comprehensively 'paints the picture' and explains the whole ethos by which the company based and still bases it's success.A truly inspirational book that would be of great interest and benefit to the casual reader, a McDonald's aficionado, or any established or intending entrepreneur already in or wanting to be in the fast food business.

An insightful read. Some insight into the nooks and crannies of business.

It's crazy how unknown this story is. At first the book feels like it whips by and isn't heavy on flowery descriptions, but that's just the man Kroc was, and there's more detail on the business. If you want a book that beautifully describes what people look like and with lots of personality, this isn't for you, if you want analysis of the paper cup industry, facts and details, that whips along at pace, then you'll love it. I certainly did.

I was lead to this book after watching the inspiring Hollywood movie "The Founder"It is the story of rags to riches.The story of a smart salesman - who took risks and worked hard to create his own luck.Contrary to the movie, Ray was a successful milkshake salesman before he went to McDonald - he was success at everything he did, and there was no reason for him to move to a highly risky venture of setting up a burger franchise - he was earning well. But he saw the potential and did everything to make it happen. He worked two jobs while setting up McDonalds in his local area.Note that other people saw what the McDonald brothers were doing but failed to replicate their success.This is an entertaining read - a page turner - that will inspire you - to work hard and take risks in business or your job. A must read

I bought this book after watching the film, The Founder, recently. I thought the film was brilliant and wanted to know more about Ray Kroc the man. In the film it would be easy to conclude that Kroc was a devious piece of work in his final dealings with the McDonalds brothers and so wanted to hear (read) his version. I not only found the book a very interesting read and real page-turner (it is a nice size book, just over 200 pages and easy to carry) I completely changed my mind about the man himself. I would recommend watching the film before reading the book because the other way round may not be so surprising . A great insight not only into how a fast-food chain, that we all take for granted, came into existence but also about the man who is responsible for it's global success.

This is another one of my 'late reviews'I've been going through my purchase history on Amazon, and discovered this gem purchased in 2003 - 14 years ago now!It changed my life to be fair.At the time, I was running a business that I hated working in. Staff were a nightmare, customers of those staff seemed like a nightmare, and the location seemed all wrong.I know this has since been made into a film, but the film really doesn't represent what's in this book.This book details the struggles of one man in his own business, and how he 'made it easy' for himself. There are lessons to be learned abound in here - all of which I still stick to today.Are you in business? If so, you should read this book. I did, in 2003 as it happens. By 2006, my businesses were running themselves and were more profitable than ever.I went to work 'on the business, not in the business' after reading this. And so will you.It's the best business book I have ever read.

this book reminds you that our life is a chain of events that leads us to a successful moment as long as we keep trying and never lose the hope in our dreams, at age 53 Ray starts all over again in the pursuit of happiness.