The Founder 2016 Watch Full Movie

The Founder: Watch Full Movie Story Summary

In 1954, struggling Prince Castle salesman Ray Kroc travels to San Bernardino, CA to meet Dick and Mac McDonald at their eponymous restaurant after the brothers purchase eight of his milkshake machines. Kroc lauds the brothers’ success over dinner, where Mac and Dick explain the restaurant’s origins and success following a complete redesign of the store in 1948, eliminating unnecessary overhead and reducing costs. Eager to cash in, Kroc quickly presses the brothers to expand franchising.

Expanding the Franchise

After an initial refusal, the brothers agree to a business deal under stringent contract terms and a lengthy approval process for potential changes. Kroc breaks ground in Des Plaines, putting up his home as collateral. Hungry for more growth, Kroc pursues wealthy local connections for investment in franchising and recruits Fred L. Turner as his business partner.

Business Model Evolution

After early struggles with franchise operators not being hands-on, which doomed the brothers’ previous franchise attempts, Ray hits on the idea of the model of a local operator: putting the franchisee directly into the workspace, and working alongside their staff. Kroc sees rapid gains and continues to expand, traveling to St. Paul to oversee the first opening in the Twin Cities.

Kroc’s venture faces financial challenges as he falls behind on payments and faces pressure from operating costs. Ethel, his wife, discovers he put their house up as collateral without her knowledge, leading to their divorce.

Real-Estate Model Transformation

Seeking financial help, Kroc meets Harry Sonneborn, who shifts McDonald’s into a real-estate model with investor backing. Franchise Realty Corporation is born, leading to aggressive expansion but causing tensions with Dick and Mac McDonald.

Ownership Takeover

Kroc manipulates the contract terms, rebrands the company as McDonald’s Corporation, and eventually buys out the McDonald brothers for $2.7 million, taking full control. Despite promises, the brothers never receive the royalties owed to them.

Legacy and Impact

An epilogue reveals the aftermath: Kroc’s secretary becomes a part owner, Sonneborn leaves after a fallout, Turner expands the company globally, and Kroc’s McDonald’s overtakes the original restaurant.

Watch “The Founder” to dive deeper into the ruthless and captivating story of McDonald’s beginnings under Ray Kroc’s leadership.