The Food That Built America Snack Sized Season 1 Episode 11 The Golden Arches

The Food That Built America Snack Sized is a television show that highlights the history of iconic American foods. Season 1 episode 11, titled "The Golden Arches," delves into the rise of McDonald's and how the fast-food chain became a global phenomenon.

The episode opens with a brief history of fast food in America, including the creation of the drive-in restaurant model and the introduction of the assembly line technique to food service by White Castle. The focus then shifts to the McDonald's brothers, who were the pioneers of the fast-food industry.

The story of how the McDonald's brothers revolutionized the industry begins with their first restaurant in San Bernardino, California, which they opened in 1940. At this time, most fast-food restaurants involved customers driving up to a speaker box and placing their order with a carhop. The McDonald's brothers wanted to streamline the process, so they created a system in which customers would walk up to a window, place their order, and receive their food within seconds.

To achieve this, the brothers spent months perfecting their assembly line technique for making burgers and fries. They also eliminated all unnecessary items from their menu, focusing solely on burgers, fries, and drinks. This allowed them to serve food quickly and efficiently, without sacrificing quality.

The success of their first restaurant led the brothers to open several more locations in California. However, they soon realized that they did not have the marketing or management skills needed to grow the business on a larger scale. This is where Ray Kroc comes into the story.

Kroc was a struggling milkshake machine salesman when he first met the McDonald's brothers. Intrigued by their innovative restaurant model, he convinced them to let him franchise the concept and expand the business across the country. Kroc's first McDonald's restaurant opened in Illinois in 1955, and he quickly began opening more locations.

The episode highlights the challenges that Kroc faced in growing the McDonald's empire. He struggled to convince skeptical franchisees to follow the standardized system that the McDonald's brothers had created. He also faced resistance from other fast-food chains, who saw McDonald's as a threat to their own businesses.

Despite these obstacles, Kroc persevered and continued to expand the McDonald's brand. He introduced new menu items, such as the Big Mac and the Egg McMuffin, and established the iconic Golden Arches logo as a symbol of the brand.

The episode also touches on the controversies surrounding McDonald's, such as the health concerns associated with fast food and the criticism of the company's labor practices. However, it ultimately paints a positive picture of the role that McDonald's has played in American culture and the global economy.

Overall, "The Golden Arches" provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of one of the most iconic brands in the world. It highlights the ingenuity and perseverance of the McDonald's brothers and the vision and determination of Ray Kroc. The episode also raises important questions about the impact of fast food on American society and the world at large.