Richard and Maurice McDonald were American entrepreneurs who founded the fast-food restaurant chain McDonald's. They opened their first restaurant in San Bernardino, California in 1940, introducing a new system of food preparation that emphasized speed and efficiency, known as the "Speedee Service System." This innovative approach laid the groundwork for modern fast food. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman, visited their restaurant and saw the potential for expansion. He partnered with the McDonald brothers to franchise the brand, leading to the rapid growth of McDonald's into a global phenomenon. Their vision transformed the way people eat out.