Southern California

Where it all began. The first fast food restaurants began primarily in response to the automobile and highways in and around the Los Angeles area.

San Bernardino, California

Site of the first McDonald's Restaurant with the new automated system of preparation and service in 1948.

One McDonald's Plaza, Oak Brook, Illinois

Site of the Ray Kroc Museum, the McDonald's Gift Shop and McDonald's Hamburger University where managers and franchisees are trained.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Site of huge growth because of "White flight" from California and defense industry growth and site of many fast food chains. McDonald's has used its restaurants here as testing sites for new technology and food items.

Aberdeen, Idaho

Home of the J.R. Simplot Potato Plant, where potatoes are processed from field to frozen fries of all types. Simplot supplies most of McDonald's frozen french fries.

New Jersey

Along the New Jersey turnpike...