Dick and Mac McDonald built the first McDonalds restaurant in 1954. The companys motto was quality, service, cleanliness, and value (McSpotlight). One year later, Ray Kroc became the first franchisee. Three years later, in 1957, McDonalds became a corporation. By 1959, the 100th McDonalds opened up in Chicago. Two years after that, Ray Kroc bought all the rights to the McDonalds concept for $2.7 million dollars. 1963 was a big year for McDonalds.