Grinding It Out is the autobiography of Ray Kroc, founder of the well-known fast food chain McDonalds. At the age of 52 Kroc had next to nothing against his name, yet he went on to become a millionaire in a decade. The book details how Kroc first met the McDonald brothers, through to opening the first store and going on to make it into a highly successful world-wide franchise.

Kroc begins by describing his early business experiences, including his involvement in the paper cup business, and goes on to tell how he met the McDonald brothers in San Bernardino. Kroc cites some of the early problems he encountered when creating his franchise, such as when he tried to duplicate the McDonald brother’s fries they turned out mushy. Kroc was determined to get it right and discovered that the key was in the way the McDonald brothers stored them. Kroc talks openly and honestly throughout the book, including information about his life loves, staff and the key people in the business.

Grinding It Out contains a helpful index of names and places at the back of the book and an interesting selection of black and white photos in the middle. Kroc’s account in the book ends in the year 1977. It is followed by a short afterword by Robert Anderson, which updates us to 1987. If he was still alive it would be very interesting to know what Ray Kroc thought of the McDonalds organisation today, with recent increased health awareness and publicity.

The book is primarily an autobiography, providing us with an interesting and inspiring read, rather than a detailed business book. There is a lot to be learned from the man’s determination despite having no direct experience or skills in the restaurant business.

Grinding It Out provides a fascinating insight into the man behind one of the biggest and well known fast food chains in the world.

You can buy it from Amazon UK or Amazon USA.

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