Helmed by John Lee Hancock, “The Founder” is a 2016 release that presents an interesting biographical account in the life of Ray Kroc, the man who transformed McDonald’s from a humble burger joint into an international fast-food behemoth. This movie does more than narrate Kroc’s rise-it gives a thumbs-up to questions regarding ambition, ethics, and the American Dream. In this paper, we would like to discuss 20 provocative questions that press deeper into the themes, characters, and societal implications presented in “The Founder.”
What is Ray Kroc doing at the beginning of the film? Summarize his situation.
Ray is trying to sell milkshake machines, and so far, he has been rejected several times with little success. His frustration increasingly gnaws on him as he struggles hard to remind himself why he’s doing this.
What was Ray’s experience of the American food scene before he joined McDonald’s?
Dissatisfying, slow, and inefficient. We saw Ray experience several ‘drive-in’ restaurants where a waiter or waitress came up to his car window to take his order before finally, usually after a considerable time (if they even remembered the order), delivering his order. Ray found this frustrating. Most restaurants/lunch rooms/cafes back then were small and independent.
How did Ray first get in contact with the McDonald brothers?
When Ray found out that an unusually large order had been placed for his milkshake machines. Ray thought this was an error so he decided to call the business which had placed the order, which was the McDonald brothers’ restaurant. Soon after he visited their store.
What was the location of the first-ever McDonald’s store? Describe Ray’s first experience of it. How was it different from all the other restaurants at the time?
Monrovia, California, close to the Monrovia airport (later moved to San
Bernardino). Ray couldn’t believe how quickly his food came out and the overall efficiency and quality of the system being used. They also used disposable packaging which was a novelty back then. Ray had a very pleasant experience which left a deep impression on him.
What was on the menu at the very first McDonald’s store designed by Ray Kroc?
Fries, shakes, and burgers along with root beer, coke, orange juice, coffee, and milk
Complete the following: “S________ is the name of the game”. How was this achieved at McDonald’s?
Speed. Achieved by having a system where everyone specializes and completes one task efficiently. Also having fewer items on the menu and a working area designed for efficient and easy movement.
What were the three main food/drink items that McDonald’s first focused on? Why these items?
Fries, Shakes, and Burgers. Popular, tasty, and quick to make. Also, relatively inexpensive to produce and easy to work with in large numbers. Finally, the three items combined well for one meal
How did they practice the layout and system of McDonald’s before the first opening?
Outside on a tennis court using chalk to draw in a hypothetical design of the layout and having employees practice different configurations and layouts until the best one was achieved.
Define the word ‘Franchise’
A license granted from a franchiser (for example, McDonald’s) to a franchisee (for example, the people Ray signed up to open new McDonald’s restaurants) to use the brand, trademarks, knowledge, systems, and other information/products related to the franchiser. McDonald’s is mostly a franchise where franchisees have opened up McDonald’s restaurants that look and feel similar all over the world.
Why were the McDonald brothers initially reluctant to use the franchise model?
They wanted to stay small, independent, and in control. They also didn’t want the potential stress that came with franchising
What were the first steps Ray took when he joined McDonald’s?
Trying to get finance, signing up franchisees, and trying to have more control over everything related to McDonald’s outside of the McDonald brother’s store.
What were the first names of the McDonald brothers and how were they both portrayed in the film compared to Ray Kroc?
Richard (Dick) and Maurice. Both are shown to be honest, hardworking, and caring individuals with high morals and ethics. This is in contrast to Ray who is portrayed as more of a villain, someone with lower standards in morals and ethics than the McDonald brothers.
Why was Ray’s wife unhappy with him? What were their differences?
Didn’t spend much time with her or at home. Was obsessed with furthering McDonald’s and making money – she had previously seen the same traits when he had tried to sell other products. She wanted a secure less time-consuming and stressful lifestyle than Ray was pursuing. She was depicted as wanting to be more like the neighbors. Ray was shown as more of a risk-taker than his wife.
Describe Ray Kroc’s personality.
A variety of answers could be given according to the student’s opinion of Ray. In the movie, he is portrayed as, among other things, ambitious, a risk-taker, selfish, unethical, immoral, and aggressive.
How did Ray initially sign up franchisees?
Went to the country club which was mostly frequented by rich people. Gave a pitch to whoever he thought could afford a franchise. Later on, he attended more working-class establishments and pursued couples who would work hard and really care about the McDonald’s brand.
What was the three-word slogan that Ray promoted?
McDonald’s is a family
How does Ray compare the symbol of the cross on top of a church to the golden arches of McDonald’s?
“McDonald’s can be the new American church”.
Ray hopes the golden arches will become as well known as the cross on a church. A focal point that everyone is drawn to and understands what it symbolizes. A place where families congregate. “Crosses. Flags…Arches”
Describe how Ray Kroc worked with the McDonald brothers.
In the film he is shown as demanding and aggressive in his dealings with the brothers, wanting changes that suited Ray not necessarily the McDonald brothers. In the end, he is not ‘working’ with the McDonald brothers as such but grasping control of the business out of their hands
Was Ray Kroc’s behavior ethical? Explain why/why not.
In the movie Ray’s behavior and actions were shown to be selfish and unethical. How he dealt with the McDonald brothers, and how he ultimately undercut them, could be described as immoral and severe.
Research the true story of what happened. How accurate is the film to the actual story? Explain the similarities and differences
Mostly accurate with a few exaggerations and minor changes. However, the following are differences between the movie and reality:
- The milkshake mix wasn’t Joan’s idea and was implemented after the
McDonald brothers were out of the business. - Ray did not tell Ethel he wanted a divorce while they were eating dinner and instead first told her extended family of his intentions to divorce her.
- Ray did not go into the hospital with a blank cheque for the McDonald brothers to fill in.
Conclusion
“The Founder” gives us a complex plot, which intricately explores subjects of ambition, ethics, and the rise of a cultural phenomenon. As we follow Ray Kroc and the McDonald brothers, we are taken further into a larger subject matter that is relatable to anybody interested in the subtleties of entrepreneurship and American capitalism.
This is a story of inspiration and warning to generations of entrepreneurs that follow, reminding them success often comes at a price, and the choices one makes can greatly define one’s business and legacy. For anyone who would like to learn more along those lines, please refer to our article on a Movie about salesman, where we delve into the multi-faceted nature of ambition and the choices between morality in sales.
