McDonald's Restaurant Sign for the Japanese Market, 1975

Object Details

Description

By 2013, McDonald’s signs could be found in all 50 states as well as approximately 120 countries. This sign was made in the U.S.A. for use in Japan. While the writing is in Japanese, the sign remains instantly recognizable due to its color scheme and signature golden arches. Not only the look of the restaurant remains standardized, but also the menu, making only a few concessions to local tastes. Such as using kosher meats in Israel, halal meat in Muslim countries and serving a Teriyaki McBurger in Japan.

In 1940, Richard (Dick) and Maurice (Mac) McDonald opened the first McDonald’s Bar-B-Q drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California. In 1948, the brothers redesigned their menu, centering on the 15 cent hamburger. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer (milkshake machine) salesman, became interested in the McDonalds brothers’ high volume restaurant. He worked out a deal with the brothers to be their franchising agent and opened the first franchise location in Illinois the following year. Under Kroc’s direction, the company grew to become the giant we know today.

1975

ID Number

1983.0020.01

accession number

1983.0020

catalog number

1983.0020.01

associated institution

McDonald's Corporation

McDonald's International

Object Name

sign, restaurant

Physical Description

metal (overall material)

plastic (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 12 ft x 6 ft x 18 in; 3.6576 m x 1.8288 m x 45.72 cm

base: 33 in; 83.82 cm

associated place

Japan

See more items in

Work and Industry: Retail and Marketing

Advertising

American Enterprise

Exhibition

American Enterprise

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_679427

Metadata Usage (Object Detail Text)

CC0