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onald's: 10 Cool Facts You Probably Didn't Know McDonald's is one of the most iconic and recognizable fast-food chains in the world. With over 37,000 locations worldwide, it's likely that you've visited a McDonald's at least once in your life. However, there are probably a few things you didn't know about this beloved brand. Here are 10 cool facts that might surprise you:
1. McDonald's originally started as a barbecue restaurant. The first McDonald's was opened in 1940 by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. However, it wasn't until 1948 that the restaurant was converted into the fast-food chain we know and love today.
2. The famous Golden Arches are a relatively new addition. Although the McDonald's logo has become one of the most recognizable logos in the world, the famous Golden Arches weren't introduced until 196
2.
3. There's a secret menu. While it's not officially recognized by McDonald's, there are a variety of secret menu items that you can order. Some of the most popular include the McDouble with Mac Sauce, the Monster Mac, and the Land, Sea, and Air Burger.
4. McDonald's is the largest toy distributor in the world. Each year, McDonald's distributes over
1.5 billion toys with their Happy Meals.
5. McDonald's is the second-largest employer in the world. Only Walmart employs more people than McDonald's, with over
1.9 million employees worldwide.
6. The Filet-O-Fish was created to appeal to Catholics. In 1962, a McDonald's franchise owner in Ohio noticed that his sales were dropping during Lent because his Catholic customers weren't eating meat. He came up with the idea for the Filet-O-Fish to appeal to this demographic.
7. The Big Mac was invented by a franchisee. The Big Mac, one of McDonald's most iconic menu items, was actually invented by a franchisee named Jim Delligatti in 196
7.
8. McDonald's is the largest purchaser of beef, pork, and potatoes in the United States. It's estimated that McDonald's purchases about 2% of the entire U.S. beef supply each year.
9. McDonald's has its own reality TV show. In 2008, McDonald's released a reality TV show called "The Next McDonald's." The show followed contestants as they competed to create the next great McDonald's menu item.
10 McDonald's owns a surprising number of real estate properties. McDonald's not only owns the restaurants themselves, but also the land that they sit on. In fact, it's estimated that McDonald's is one of the largest private owners of real estate in the world, with over $30 billion worth of property. In conclusion, McDonald's is more than just a fast-food chain. It's a global empire that has had a profound impact on popular culture and the way we eat. Whether you love it or hate it, there's no denying that McDonald's is a fascinating company with a rich history and a few surprises up its sleeve.