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Ray Kroc

Raymond Albert Kroc was an American businessman who was instrumental in turning McDonald's into the most successful global fast food corporation by revenue. He purchased the brand from the McDonald brothers in 1961, after several years as their franchising agent, and served as the leader of the company until his death.

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business · American businessman (1902–1984) · restaurateur · businessperson · writer · salesperson · entrepreneur · also Ray Kroc, Raymond Albert Kroc, Raymond Albert "Ray" Kroc, Ray A. Kroc, Raymond A. Kroc, Kroc

Born 5 October 1902 · Died 14 January 1984 · Q319648

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Aug 2026Quote
I have very recently taken over the national franchise of the McDonald
76%WikipediaSource Permalink
Jan 1984Quote
If my competitor was drowning, I'd stick a hose in his mouth and turn on the water
68%Wikiquote (pt)Source Permalink

2026· 1 entry

Aug 17, 2026Documented record76% confidence

“I have very recently taken over the national franchise of the McDonald”

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1984· 4 entries

Jan 14, 1984Documented record86% confidence

Died 1984-01-14.

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1984Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

Wore a special patch with Kroc's initials: RAK

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c. 1984Exact date was not recorded in the sourceDirect quote68% confidence

“If my competitor was drowning, I'd stick a hose in his mouth and turn on the water”

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1984Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

McDonald's had 7,500 outlets in the United States and in 31 other countries and territories

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1983· 1 entry

1983Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

And his personal fortune amounted around $600 million

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1980· 2 entries

1980Source gives the year onlyDocumented record72% confidence

In 1980, following a stroke, Kroc entered an alcohol rehabilitation facility.

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1980Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

Following a stroke, Kroc entered an alcohol rehabilitation facility

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1979· 1 entry

1979Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

Kroc's public interest in future free agent players Graig Nettles and Joe Morgan drew a $100,000 fine from Commissioner Bowie Kuhn

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1977· 1 entry

1977Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

And reissued in 2016; it served as the basis for The Founder, a biographical movie about Kroc directed by John Lee Hancock and starring Michael Keaton as Kroc

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1974· 2 entries

Apr 9, 1974Documented record70% confidence

While the Padres were on the brink of losing a 9–5 decision to the Houston Astros in the season opener at San Diego Stadium, Kroc took the public address microphone in front of 39,083 fans

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1974Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

The Padres lost 102 games yet drew over one million in attendance, the standard of box office success in the major leagues during that era

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1973· 1 entry

1973Source gives the year onlyDocumented record70% confidence

Kroc received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement

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1972· 1 entry

1972Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

Presidential campaign, and he was controversially accused by some, notably Senator Harrison Williams, of making the donation to influence Nixon to veto a minimum wage bill making its way through Congress

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1961· 2 entries

1961Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

And is credited as its founder, due to his influence as a franchise agent and principal role in the company's expansion, despite not having founded the company

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1961Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

After several years as their franchising agent, and served as the leader of the company until his death

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1954· 2 entries

1954Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

To see why they were making so many milkshakes

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1954Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

Visited a hamburger restaurant in San Bernardino, California, owned by Richard and Maurice McDonald

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1919· 1 entry

1919Source gives the year onlyDocumented record66% confidence

Married in 1922, and then moved to Chicago, divorcing in 1961

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1902· 2 entries

Oct 5, 1902Documented record70% confidence

In Oak Park, Illinois, near Chicago, to Czech-American parents, Rose Mary (née Hrach) and Alois "Louis" Kroc

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Oct 5, 1902Documented record86% confidence

Born 1902-10-05.

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