McDonald's Downey | Vintage Animated Speedee Sign 08/12/2009 10h38 I think it great to see this animated neon sign at night too. Next time! Speedee History This is the oldest operating McDonald's hamburger stand in the world. When opened hamburgers were 15 cents and french fries were 12 cents. The towering neon chef, "Speedee" was McDonald's first mascot and symbolic of fast and efficient service. Opened on August 18, 1953 by Roger Williams and Burdette ("Bud") Landon. Downey was the third stand franchised by Richard and Maurice McDonald, who founded the chain in 1948. Ray Kroc then a Multimixer milkshake machine salesman and later founder of McDonald's Corporation, visited this McDonald's in 1954 to prepare for consctuction of his first McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines Illinois. Which opened in 1955. Ray Kroc bought out the McDonald Brothers for 2.7 million. However this location was the only 'McDonald's' which was never affliliated with the McDonald's Corporation; this restaurant did not become part of the McDonald's system until 1990. "Speedee" was replaced by a new logo in 1961. Ronald McDonald was created in 1963. In 1994 the "Speedee" store was closed due to damages caused by the Northridge Earthquake. The store reopened in December 15, 1996 with the addition of the museum and gift shop. Lakewood resident and Owner/Operator Ron Piazza assumed ownership of the "Speedee" store from the McDonald's Corporation on July 1, 1998.

McDonald's Downey | Vintage Animated Speedee Sign 08/12/2009 10h38 I think it great to see this animated neon sign at night too. Next time! Speedee History This is the oldest operating McDonald's hamburger stand in the world. When opened hamburgers were 15 cents and french fries were 12 cents. The towering neon chef, "Speedee" was McDonald's first mascot and symbolic of fast and efficient service. Opened on August 18, 1953 by Roger Williams and Burdette ("Bud") Landon. Downey was the third stand franchised by Richard and Maurice McDonald, who founded the chain in 1948. Ray Kroc then a Multimixer milkshake machine salesman and later founder of McDonald's Corporation, visited this McDonald's in 1954 to prepare for consctuction of his first McDonald's franchise in Des Plaines Illinois. Which opened in 1955. Ray Kroc bought out the McDonald Brothers for 2.7 million. However this location was the only 'McDonald's' which was never affliliated with the McDonald's Corporation; this restaurant did not become part of the McDonald's system until 1990. "Speedee" was replaced by a new logo in 1961. Ronald McDonald was created in 1963. In 1994 the "Speedee" store was closed due to damages caused by the Northridge Earthquake. The store reopened in December 15, 1996 with the addition of the museum and gift shop. Lakewood resident and Owner/Operator Ron Piazza assumed ownership of the "Speedee" store from the McDonald's Corporation on July 1, 1998.