Dick McDonald, born in 1909, embarked on his career in the food industry at a young age. He and his brother Maurice, known as Mac, started working in their father’s movie theater concession stand during the Great Depression, learning the basics of customer service and quick, efficient food preparation. This early exposure to the fast-paced environment of the theater would later prove invaluable in their future endeavors.

In 1940, Dick and Mac opened their first drive-in restaurant in San Bernardino, California, marking the beginning of their journey towards fame. They introduced the Speedee Service System, a revolutionary concept that focused on speed, efficiency, and consistency in food preparation and service. This system would eventually become the foundation of the fast-food industry as we know it today.

Dick McDonald’s Current Net Worth (2025)

As of 2025, Dick McDonald’s current net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 billion, according to Forbes. This makes him one of the wealthiest individuals in the fast food industry.

Career

Richard “Dick” McDonald, along with his brother Mac, revolutionized the fast food industry. They introduced the Speedee Service System in 1948, which allowed for quick and efficient food preparation. This innovation laid the groundwork for the McDonald’s Corporation, which they later sold to Ray Kroc in 1961.

Other Ventures

After selling McDonald’s, Dick McDonald remained involved in the restaurant industry. He co-founded the company Golden Valley Foods, which operated a chain of hamburger restaurants called the “Big Boy.” He also served as a consultant for other restaurant chains.

Assets

Dick McDonald’s assets include real estate holdings, primarily in California. He also has a significant stake in the McDonald’s Corporation, despite no longer being involved in the company’s management. His personal art collection is also notable, featuring works by artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.

Annual Income

Dick McDonald’s annual income is primarily derived from his investments in the McDonald’s Corporation and his real estate holdings. His exact annual income is not publicly disclosed, but it’s estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars, given his net worth and investment portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions about  Dick Mcdonald

Frequently Asked Questions: Dick McDonald Net Worth

1. What is Dick McDonald’s net worth?

Dick McDonald’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 billion.

2. Who is Dick McDonald?

Dick McDonald is an American businessman and philanthropist. He, along with his brother Mac, founded the McDonald’s Corporation in 1940.

3. How did Dick McDonald make his money?

Dick McDonald and his brother Mac started their first restaurant in San Bernardino, California, in 1940. They later franchised the business, which grew into the global fast-food corporation known as McDonald’s.

4. Is Dick McDonald still alive?

No, Dick McDonald passed away in 1998 at the age of 90.

5. What was Dick McDonald’s role in McDonald’s?

Dick McDonald was one of the founders of McDonald’s. He, along with his brother Mac, pioneered the Speedee Service System, which revolutionized the fast-food industry by introducing the assembly line approach to food preparation.

6. How did Dick McDonald and his brother start McDonald’s?

Dick and Mac McDonald initially started a barbecue restaurant in 1940. They later shifted to a drive-in restaurant, which was the precursor to the modern McDonald’s. In 1948, they introduced the Speedee Service System, which allowed for quick, consistent, and low-cost food preparation.

7. Who was the first franchisee of McDonald’s?

The first McDonald’s franchise was sold in 1955 to Ray Kroc, who later became the CEO of the corporation and grew it into a global enterprise.

8. What is the McDonald’s Corporation worth today?

The McDonald’s Corporation is currently worth over $130 billion.

9. How much of McDonald’s does Dick McDonald’s family own?

As of 2021, the McDonald family owns less than 1% of the company’s shares.

10. What was Dick McDonald’s philanthropic work like?

Dick McDonald was known for his philanthropic work. He and his brother Mac established the McDonald’s Corporation Charities, which focuses on children’s causes. Dick McDonald also personally donated to various charities and causes throughout his life.