McDonalds 2003 Annual Report Download - page 6

McDonald’s 2003 page 4
A McDonald’s legend hangs up his spatula
Fred made things happen.
In the early 1970s, he pioneered
our international development—a
bold venture at that time. Little did
anyone know back then that our
operations outside the U.S. would
one day account for more than half of
McDonald’s restaurants and revenues.
Fred’s accomplishments did not
go unrecognized. Over the years, he
held numerous leadership positions
at McDonald’s including President,
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of
the Board and, most recently, Senior
Chairman. He, together with Ray Kroc,
built McDonald’s and created what
has become the quick-service restau-
rant industry.
But those who know Fred also
know the man behind the legend.
Fred was Ray Kroc’s business part-
ner, trusted friend and confidant. Both
had a burning passion for the business
and an unparalleled dedication to
customers. Nothing less than clean
restrooms, sparkling kitchens, food
prepared to perfection and customers
served quickly and with a smile
would do. They also shared a passion
for giving back to local communities.
The McDonald’s System owes a lot
to Fred. He was a leader for 48 years.
He led with integrity, tenacity and
an unrelenting attention to the
smallest—and yet often, the
most important—detail.
Fred may have hung up
his spatula...but his legacy
at McDonald’s will live on
forever.
Fred Turner’s career at McDonald’s spanned
48 years. From top to bottom: 1] Fred as grillman
circa 1957. 2] Fred and McDonald’s founder Ray
Kroc reviewing blueprints for a new McDonald’s
restaurant circa 1970. 3] Fred and his pal
Ronald McDonald at the ribbon cutting ceremony
of McDonald’s 10,000th restaurant in 1988.
4] Fred serving drive-thru customers on Founder’s
Day—a day established to honor the memory of
Ray Kroc—circa 1990.
On January 26, 2004, our
Senior Chairman Fred Turner
retired after 48 years as one
of the guiding lights of the
McDonald’s System. The
following is a snapshot of
the extraordinary career of
an extraordinary man.
Fred Turner joined McDonald’s as a
grillman at founder Ray Kroc’s first
restaurant. The restaurant was in Des
Plaines, Illinois. The year was 1956.
The rest is a slice of McDonald’s
history.
Fred quickly earned a reputation
as a stickler for quality. For him,
attention to the smallest details came
naturally.
Within months of joining
McDonald’s, Fred drafted a 15-page
mimeographed manual on the best
way to run a McDonald’s restaurant,
followed quickly by a 38-page update.
That was followed by a then-landmark
75-page operations manual, which
was printed and bound in 1958.
Fred believed that if you
want to hold people account-
able, you need to train them
first. So it’s no surprise
that he was the inspira-
tion, as well as the
perspiration, behind
our signature training
facility—Hamburger
University. The first
class, 15 strong, gradu-
ated in February 1961.