ASSIGNMENT 2

THE FOUNDER MOVIE

Name : Nada Walid Sami ElGohary
Number : 287
INTRODUCTION
"The Founder" is a film talks about the story of how Ray Kroc expanded the
McDonald's fast-food chain. Key business elements explored in the movie include
franchising, branding, business ethics, and the challenges of scaling a successful
concept. The film highlights the importance of vision, strategy, and persistence in the
business world.
1. Franchising:
- The movie emphasizes Ray Kroc's innovative approach to franchising, which played a crucial role in the
rapid expansion of McDonald's.
- Franchising involves granting individuals the right to operate a business using the brand, products, and
processes of the franchisor (in this case, McDonald's).
- It explores the challenges and benefits of maintaining consistency across franchise locations.
2. Branding:
- McDonald's iconic branding is a central theme. The film showcases how the golden arches and the "Speedee
Service System" contributed to the brand's success.
- Branding is portrayed as a powerful tool for creating customer recognition, trust, and loyalty, essential for
long-term success in the competitive fast-food industry.
3. Business Ethics:
- The movie raises ethical questions regarding the relationship between Ray Kroc and the original founders,
the McDonald brothers. It explores Kroc's business decisions and strategies that led to conflicts.
- It delves into the ethical dilemmas of business negotiations, partnerships, and the impact of success on
personal relationships.
4. Challenges of Scaling:
- As McDonald's grows, the film illustrates the challenges of maintaining quality, efficiency, and the original
vision while scaling up operations.
- Scaling a business involves overcoming logistical, operational, and cultural challenges. The movie depicts
how these challenges can strain relationships and create conflicts.
5. Vision and Strategy:
- Ray Kroc's vision for McDonald's as a national and eventually global brand is a key element. The film shows
how his persistence and strategic thinking were essential to realizing this vision.
- It explores the importance of having a clear business vision, setting goals, and adapting strategies to
changing circumstances.
 SWOT analysis for Ray Kroc in the movie “The Founder”
STRENGTH
Visionary Leadership:Ray Kroc
is depicted as a visionary
leader with the foresight to
recognize the potential of the
McDonald's concept as a
franchise on a national and
global scale.
Persistence: Despite facing
numerous rejections and
challenges, Kroc persists in his
efforts to franchise the
McDonald's brand.
Salesmanship: Kroc's strong
salesmanship skills enable him
to convince potential investors
and franchisees to buy into the
McDonald's concept.
WEAKNESS
Ethical Dilemmas:The film
portrays Kroc's involvement in
ethically questionable decisions,
especially regarding his dealings
with the original McDonald
brothers.
Over Ambition: Kroc's
overambitious nature leads to
conflicts with the McDonald
brothers and raises questions
about the ethical boundaries of
business practices.
OPPORTUNITIES
Franchising Model:The
opportunity lies in the untapped
potential of the franchising
model, allowing McDonald's to
expand rapidly and reach a
broader market.
Growing Fast-Food
Industry:The film highlights the
opportunity to capitalize on the
increasing popularity of fast
food in post-war America.
THREATS
Competition: As McDonald's
grows, it faces increased
competition from other fast-food
chains, posing a threat to its
market share.
Internal Conflicts:Conflicts with
the original McDonald brothers
and internal struggles within the
company represent threats to
the stability and success of
McDonald's.
 SWOT analysis for the McDonald brothers
STRENGTH
Innovative Concept:The
McDonald brothers' Speedee
Service System is a
revolutionary concept in the
fast-food industry,
emphasizing efficiency and
quality.
Operational Excellence:They
demonstrate exceptional
operational skills in creating a
system that streamlines food
preparation and service.
Brand Identity:The original
McDonald's brand, with its
golden arches and Speedee
mascot, establishes a
distinctive and memorable
identity.
WEAKNESS
Limited Vision for Expansion:The
McDonald brothers initially exhibit a
reluctance to expand beyond their
original San Bernardino restaurant,
reflecting a potential weakness in
their vision for growth.
Resistance to Change:The brothers'
resistance to certain changes
proposed by Ray Kroc, such as
franchising and the introduction of
new menu items, may be considered
a weakness in adapting to evolving
market demands.
OPPORTUNITIES
Franchising Potential:The
success of their unique
fast-food system presents an
opportunity to explore
franchising, enabling the
brand to reach a broader
audience.
Global Expansion:There is an
opportunity for the McDonald
brothers to take their concept
beyond local markets and
potentially achieve global
recognition.
THREATS
Competition:The fast-food
industry is competitive, and the
McDonald brothers face the
threat of other restaurants
replicating or improving upon
their concepts.
Business
Relationships:Conflicts with
Ray Kroc pose a threat to the
stability of their business and
the preservation of their original
vision for McDonald's.
Criticize the movie
"The Founder" has some issues. First, it doesn't stick closely to the real history,
changing facts for dramatic effect. Second, the main character, Ray Kroc, is portrayed
too simply, missing the chance to show a more complex side of him. The McDonald
brothers, despite being important, aren't explored deeply enough. The movie moves too
quickly through important moments, leaving some parts underdeveloped. The ethical
issues are simplified for drama. Supporting characters, like Kroc's wife, don't get
enough attention. Overall, the film is engaging, but it could have been more accurate,
explored characters better, and delved deeper into business and ethical themes.