- Ray Kroc, McDonald's Corporation founder and former CEO Ray Arthur Kroc (born October 5, 1902-died January 14, 1984) who joined McDonald's in 1954 as a franchise agent, would build it into one of the most successful fast food operations in the world. He subsequently purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers, Richard and Maurice, and oversaw its worldwide growth. Kroc was included in Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century, and amassed a fortune during his lifetime. He also owned the San Diego Padres MLB team of the National League (NL), from 1974 until his death in 1984. Similar to another fast-food giant, KFC founder Harland Sanders, Kroc's success came late in life when he was past his 50th birthday.