McDonald's MCD

McDonald's, the 1940 brainchild of Richard and Maurice McDonald, began as a humble drive-in but morphed into a global culinary behemoth faster than you can say "Big Mac." Known for its relentless consistency and trademark golden arches, McDonald's revolutionized fast food with its efficient assembly line of burgers and fries. Key moments? The 1955 birth of the first franchise under Ray Kroc’s watch—who later elbowed his way to controlling interest and turned the brand into an omnipresent global force. Currently valued at roughly $180 billion, the company’s trophy case brims with accolades like the 2018 Best Global Brand title, yet it has not navigated its high-profile controversies unscathed. From the health criticisms over its fatty, salty fare to the infamous "pink slime" scandal, McDonald's has faced backlash as fierce as a drive-thru line at 2 AM. Executives like Kroc and more recent CEOs such as Chris Kempczinski have steered the ship through both triumphs and scandals, all while maintaining a juggernaut presence in the fast food empire—proving that, in the world of quick bites, McDonald's remains the undisputed heavyweight champ.