Watch: Throwback Video Shows India's First McDonald's Opening In Vasant Kunj, Delhi

McDonald's, one of the world's largest fast-food chains, was founded in 1940 as a hamburger stand by brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald. However, it was Ray Kroc who bought the rights to the business concept in 1961 and expanded it globally. Today, the company has over 40,000 restaurant locations worldwide, with around a quarter of them in the US.

McDonald's entered the Indian market on October 24, 1996, with its first restaurant in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The launch was a significant milestone for the company, marking its entry into a diverse and complex market. To cater to local tastes and preferences, McDonald's introduced a range of vegetarian options and adapted its menu to suit Indian palates.

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An old video from the outlet's launch recently surfaced online. Originally shared on YouTube by the American news agency AP, the clip captures the hustle and bustle of the capital city. Madhurima Bakshi, wife of then Delhi Managing Director Vikram Bakshi, inaugurated the first Indian McDonald's restaurant in the traditional way. McDonald's International Vice President, Steve Simpson, also attended the event in Delhi. In his speech, he said, "This represents a milestone for the McDonald's Corporation, inasmuch as this is the first restaurant in our system that will not sell beef and will have a dedicated vegetarian menu."

Watch the video here:

McDonald's restaurants in India are owned and operated by two separate entities: Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited (HRPL) and Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited (CPRL). HRPL operates McDonald's restaurants in West and South India, while CPRL manages the brand's presence in North and East India. Both companies have a Master Franchisee relationship with McDonald's Corporation USA.

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Today, McDonald's is one of the top quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains in the country. The brand has come to represent good-quality, reasonably priced fast food. As of 2024, the company generated revenue of 22 billion USD in India, reported Flora Fountain.