First Original McDonald's Museum

Juan Pollo Restaurants owns and operates the Site of the Original McDonalds Museum located in San Bernardino, Calif.


In 1940, Dick and Mac Mcdonald opened McDonald's Barbecue Restaurant in San Bernardino, California, at 14th st. and E st. They had a staff of 20 attractive carhops and a 25 item menu that included barbecue ribs, beef, and pork sandwiches. They soon became the #1 teen hangout in the San Bernardino.


Although the brothers were becoming very wealthy, they felt that there were too many headaches to running a large operation and felt there had to be a better system.


Dick Mcdonald started studying his sales item by item and realized that 80% of his sandwiches sold were hamburgers! The brothers also realized two more important factors that shaped their thinking.