McDonald's #1 Store Museum

The Museum was a replica of the first franchise location that Ray Kroc opened in 1955 in Des Plaines, Illinois. The building featured classic red and white tiles and a glass and metal exterior that reflected the early architecture of the chain.

The location opened in 1955 as the ninth restaurant in the chain and became the starting point of the franchise system. The original building was torn down in 1984 and replaced with a replica, which was also removed in 2018.

The site marks where Ray Kroc launched his franchise concept, and the building displayed the design of that era with neon lights and the early mascot Speedee. Visitors could look through the windows into a kitchen that appeared as if lifted from the 1950s.

The building closed to visitors in 2008 and was completely demolished in 2018. The land was donated to the city and is now planned to become a green park space.

The basement once housed early advertising materials, but this area was later closed to visitors. Across the street in a restaurant, some original tiles and old employee ties from the first location are still on display.

Location: Des Plaines

Inception: April 15, 1954

Official opening: 1955

Website: http://aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/museums/first_store_museum.html

GPS coordinates: 42.04608,-87.88614

Latest update: December 8, 2025 08:20