The Burger King
A Whopper of a Story on Life and Leadership
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
The co-founder and first CEO of Burger King recounts the journey of the international fast-food chain and offers a message to today’s budding entrepreneur.
A rags-to-$9-billion-riches story. A crash course in Burger King history and fast food in America, The Burger King is McLamore’s candid and conversational memoir. Written before his death in 1996, he talks of his life, the birth of the whopper, and the rise of Burger King. Inside, find out:How Burger King managed to create the worst advertising campaign of 1985What Burger King shares with Pitbull, Scarface, and Marco RubioWhy Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas called McLamore an “American original”
McLamore’s account of Burger King offers an instructive and inspiring tale to young entrepreneurs. Here’s a story of entrepreneurship development from one of the top entrepreneurs of fast-food chains. Want to learn how to start a food business? Burger King’s journey from south Florida drive-ins to international corporation reveals the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, whether in the food service industry or elsewhere.
But the autobiography of McLamore doesn’t end when he exits the company. So, what comes after success? To McLamore, it comes down to what’s truly needed to live a full and good life—personal values, impacting the people around you, and juicy hamburgers.
Praise for The Burger King
“Inspiring.” —Miami Herald
“A must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs, for those who have worked in the business, and for those looking for inspiration from one of America’s great innovators . . . . A great read for business owners and those who want to be one.” —Jose Cil, CEO, Restaurants Brands International (parent company of Burger King, Popeyes & Tim Hortons)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
With his company changing hands several times--it was acquired by Pillsbury, which was then bought by Grand Metropolitan--and the continuing woes at arch-rival McDonald's, the story of Burger King's creation is just a footnote to the history of the fast-food industry. But as told by McLamore, one of the company's cofounders, it is an informative footnote indeed. McLamore, who died in 1996, documents in detail the many mistakes an entrepreneur can make; for example, he stuck too long to his original concept--basically copying McDonald's--sold to Pillsbury too early and believed that a hands-on manager like him could work comfortably within a large corporate environment after the acquisition. Yet what comes through is what made the company successful: McLamore's ability to borrow ideas--such as the Whopper, Burger King's signature sandwich; insist on systems that lead to solid service; establish the brand name and worry about how to pay for it all later. Details are sometimes lacking here, and long-forgotten competitors are mentioned as if they were still in business, but McLamore gives an excellent account of what happens when you start a business that is more successful than you ever imagined.
