McDonald's is a large global fast food chain founded in 1940. It has over 32,000 restaurants in 119 countries serving iconic menu items like the Big Mac and Quarter Pounder. McDonald's employs over 430,000 worldwide and is primarily franchised. While its strategy of low-cost, consistent food helped it succeed during recessions, McDonald's may need to broaden its menu and improve food quality to remain competitive as consumer health concerns grow. Its main competitors are other large fast food chains like Burger King, KFC, and Subway.