McDonald’s: The Franchise Agreement That Built an Empire (1955)

In March 1955, a simple franchise agreement quietly changed global business history.

This document formalized the partnership between Richard and Maurice McDonald and Ray A. Kroc, marking the moment McDonald’s shifted from a local operation into a scalable franchise system that would redefine food, branding, and capitalism itself.

This piece is a historically accurate archival reconstruction, designed to mirror the original agreement’s structure, typography, layout, and tone — presented as a gallery-level historical document rather than a decorative poster.

Every detail is intentional:

the typewritten legal language,

the formal contract structure,

the signatures that marked the beginning of a global empire.

This is not just fast-food history.

This is business history.

WHAT YOU RECEIVE

• High-resolution archival artwork
• Museum-style historical document layout
• Designed for framing (portrait orientation)
• No logos exaggerated, no modern styling
• Clean, academic, gallery-ready presentation
• frames : not included

• Document: McDonald’s Franchise Agreement
• Date: March 2, 1955
• Key Figures:
  • Richard McDonald
  • Maurice McDonald
  • Ray A. Kroc
• Historical Impact: Birth of the modern franchise business model

PERFECT FOR

• Business owners & entrepreneurs
• History collectors
• Office, studio, or library walls
• Startup founders
• Fans of corporate & economic history

This artwork is a historical archival reconstruction based on documented records.

It is not an original document nor an exact photographic facsimile, but a faithful visual recreation intended for educational and collectible purposes.

EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY

Product information: Generic brand, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC

Warnings, Hazard: For adults, Blank product sourced from USA (JONDO) and Japan (Printify Choice)

Care instructions: If the print does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth.