McDonald's was founded in 1940 and introduced the production line hamburger stand model in 1948. It is now the world's largest restaurant chain, serving over 68 million customers daily in 119 countries. McDonald's sells hamburgers, chicken, drinks and breakfast items. It has over 36,000 locations worldwide, with 80% owned and operated by independent franchisees. McDonald's maintains marketing through various media and niche strategies. It has 420,000 employees and focuses on recruitment, training, and performance-based rewards. While known for its scale and ubiquity, McDonald's also engages in charity work and economic impact.