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McDonald's is a world-famous company that is often highlighted as a master in marketing.
But like all huge companies, it had to start somewhere.
Ronald McDonald and the Big Mac are now iconic products everyone recognizes, but there are some surprising facts about the fast-food giant you probably don't know.
McDonald's has also seen some crazy lawsuits over the years, which you can read about here.
The first menu items at early McDonald's restaurants were barbecue items like beef and pork sandwiches, potato chips and pies.
This was in 1940.
It didn't start serving burgers and fries until around 1948.
McDonald's is well known for its signs saying "Over 99 billion served."
In fact, the chain stopped counting in the 1990s.
It is estimated the actual figure is probably around 300 billion now.
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The Ronald McDonald House charity was established in 1974.
It provides housing for families with sick children near hospitals.
The initiative has helped millions and shows another side to the global giant.
McDonald's is truly a global giant, although there are some countries where it still doesn't operate due to commercial and political reasons.
It tailors its menus for those markets, for example offering the McAloo Tikki in India.
McDonald's has a Hamburger University where it trains franchise owners and staff.
More than 80,000 people have "graduated" from the institution in Chicago.
The Filet-O-Fish was created by a franchise owner in Cincinnati in 1962.
This was to cater for Catholic customers who did not eat meat on Fridays.
The company liked it so much it was put on the original menu, where it has remained ever since.
In 1972, the legendary Egg McMuffin was introduced.
It was the first quick-service breakfast sandwich in the industry.
The Happy Meal came into being in 1979.
It was another revolutionary concept as it was designed to appeal to children.
The meals contained food, a drink and a toy in one package.
The Economist is a world-renowned business magazine.
In 1986, it created the Big Mac Index.
This was an informal way of comparing the purchasing power of two currencies.
The cost of a Big Mac around the world was a way of assessing the economic strength of a country
The world's biggest McDonald's is in Orlando, Florida.
It's a two-storey restaurant that has a 30-foot indoor playground, a games arcade, and a unique menu featuring pizza, waffles and pasta.
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