The Founder

For the student newspaper at Royal Holloway, University of London, seeThe Founder(newspaper).For other uses, seeFounder.

The Founder
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	John Lee Hancock
Written by	Robert Siegel
Produced by	Don Handfield Jeremy Renner Aaron Ryder
Starring	Michael Keaton Nick Offerman John Carroll Lynch Linda Cardellini B. J. Novak Laura Dern
Cinematography	John Schwartzman
Edited by	Robert Frazen
Music by	Carter Burwell
Production companies	FilmNation Entertainment The Combine Faliro House Productions S.A.
Distributed by	The Weinstein Company
Release dates	December 7, 2016(2016-12-07)(Arclight Hollywood) January 20, 2017(2017-01-20)(United States)
Running time	115 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$7–25 million
Box office	$24.1 million

The Founderis a 2016 Americanbiographicaldrama filmdirected byJohn Lee Hancockand written byRobert Siegel.StarringMichael Keatonas businessmanRay Kroc,the film depicts the story of his creation of theMcDonald'sfast-food restaurant chain, which eventually involved forcing out the company's original founders to take control with conniving ruthlessness.Nick OffermanandJohn Carroll Lynchco-star as McDonald's foundersRichard and Maurice McDonald,alongsideLinda Cardellinias Ray Kroc's third wifeJoan Smith,andB. J. Novakas McDonald's president and chief executiveHarry J. Sonneborn.

The film premiered atArclight Hollywoodon December 7, 2016, and was released theatrically in the United States on January 20, 2017, bythe Weinstein Company.It grossed $24 million worldwide and received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Keaton's performance.

Plot

In 1954, struggling Prince Castle salesmanRay Kroctravels toSan Bernardino, CAto meetDick and Mac McDonald at their eponymous restaurantafter the brothers purchase eight of his milkshake machines. Kroc lauds the brothers' success over dinner, where Mac and Dick explain the restaurant's origins and success following a complete redesign of the store in 1948, eliminating unnecessary overhead and reducing costs. Eager to cash in, Kroc quickly presses the brothers to expand franchising. After an initial refusal, the brothers agree to a business deal under very strict contract terms, and a lengthy approval process for potential changes.

Kroc breaks ground inDes Plaines,putting up his home as collateral. Hungry for more growth, Kroc pursues wealthy local connections for investment in franchising and recruitsFred L. Turneras his business partner. After early struggles with franchise operators not being hands on, which doomed the brothers' previous franchise attempts, Ray hits on the idea of the model of a local operator: putting the franchisee directly into the workspace, and working alongside their staff. Kroc sees rapid gains and continues to expand, traveling toSt. Paulto oversee the first opening in theTwin Cities.There, Kroc meets Rollie Smith, and his wife,Joan,who are interested in franchising; Kroc immediately becomes infatuated with Joan. At the same time, Kroc stresses against rising pressure from financial operating costs, and falls behind on his payments. Kroc is unsuccessful at renegotiating his contract with the McDonald brothers, and, when his bank calls his home, Kroc's wife, Ethel, discovers her husband put the home up as collateral without her knowledge. Kroc later files for divorce from Ethel.

Kroc visits his bank for help with his lease terms, and is approached by former Tastee-Freeze Finance VPHarry Sonneborn,who offers to review Kroc's books. Sonneborn explains to Ray that the business operator model will fail under the contract terms restricting him. Sonneborn provides Kroc with guidance toward evolving McDonald's into a real-estate model with financial investor backing. In 1955, Franchise Realty Corporation is incorporated, and begins aggressive expansion of the McDonald's franchise. When the brothers are informed of the new company and Kroc's intent to buy the land, Dick and Mac are taken aback, but are powerless against the power Kroc now has. Emboldened, Kroc approaches his attorney for help getting out of his contract, and further begins enacting changes to the franchises without Dick and Mac's approval, including the introduction of powdered milkshake mix, to bring down operating costs. When Kroc officially rebrands Franchise Realty Corporation as theMcDonald's Corporation,Mac collapses from diabetic shock and is hospitalized. Kroc visits the brothers at the hospital, and offers them ablank checkto buy them out.

The brothers agree to sell for $2.7 million, the rights to the San Bernandino location, and 1% of future profits. Kroc agrees to their terms except for future profits, which he refuses and offers to carry out under ahandshake agreement.The brothers reluctantly agree, and Kroc becomes the sole owner of the McDonald's Corporation. Dick asks Kroc why the latter didn't just take the idea and run with it. Kroc admits he always wanted the restaurant for himself because of the brothers' last name, with Kroc lamenting his own name isn't "American" enough, but that McDonald's representsAmerican values.The film ends as the brothers are forced to change the name of their original location, and Kroc begins construction of a new McDonald's immediately across the street in San Bernardino. Kroc, now married to Joan, prepares himself for a public speech that California GovernorRonald Reaganwill attend, heavily plagiarizing a speech he listened to earlier in the film, arguing his success came from persistence.

An epilogue reveals several facts about the company:June Martinobecame a part owner in the McDonald's Corporation. Sonneborn was made president and CEO, but quit a few years later after falling out with Kroc. Turner succeeded Kroc as senior chairman in the company. Kroc did not honor his handshake deal – the McDonald brothers were never paid their royalties, which would eventually have been over $100 million a year. And McDonald's feeds about 1% of the world's population every day.

Cast

• Michael KeatonasRay Kroc
• Nick OffermanasRichard "Dick" McDonald
• John Carroll LynchasMaurice "Mac" McDonald
• Linda CardelliniasJoan Smith
• B. J. NovakasHarry J. Sonneborn
• Laura Dernas Ethel Kroc
• Justin Randell Brooke asFred Turner
• Kate Kneeland asJune Martino
• Patrick Wilsonas Rollie Smith
• Griff Furstas Jim Zien
• Wilbur Fitzgerald as Jerry Cullen
• Afemo Omilamias Mr. Merriman

Production

Development

The screenplay forThe Founderwas written by Robert Siegel, based on Ray Kroc's autobiography and an unauthorized biography.According to early reports, the film was to be developed in the same vein asThere Will Be BloodandThe Social Network.According toDeadline Hollywood,it was ranked the 13th-best unproduced script of 2014.In December 2014, John Lee Hancock was signed to direct the film.

Casting

In February 2015, Michael Keaton was signed to the role of Ray Kroc.Laura Dernjoined the film on May 11, 2015, to play Kroc's wife Ethel Fleming, whom Kroc divorced in 1961.The next day, it was announced that Nick Offerman joined the film, set to play Richard "Dick" McDonald.On May 28, 2015, it was announced that B. J. Novak joined the film as Kroc's financial consultant, Harry J. Sonneborn.On June 9, 2015, it was reported that Linda Cardellini had joined the film,and on June 26, 2015, it was announced that John Carroll Lynch andPatrick Wilsonhad also been cast.

Filming

Principal photographyfor the film began inNewnan,Georgiaon June 1, 2015.Production designerMichael Corenblithhad previously worked on films includingApollo 13,Saving Mr. BanksandThe Blind Sidein which attention to historic detail was important. Corenblith worked from archival photos, training films, materials provided by the McDonald family, blueprints obtained fromeBay,and research at theoldest McDonald's restaurantinDowney, California.The McDonald brothers' original octagonal San Bernardino restaurant was built in Newnan in the parking lot of theCoweta Countyadministration building.

After a month of searching for a suitable location, an old-style McDonald's building set with the "golden arches"was constructed in a church parking lot in seven working days inDouglasville, Georgia.The set included a working and period-accurate kitchen equipment that was brought up to current code. Rearrangement of exterior features such as parking lot striping allowed that set to serve as each franchise location portrayed in the film. Both interior and exterior portions of the restaurant were modular, allowing countertops or entire wall-sized glass panes to be removed to make room for cameras and other equipment.

• Douglasville, Georgia site of McDonald's building set:33°44′58.19″N84°45′0.70″W

Filming also took place on location at theCanton Theatrein Historic DowntownCanton, Georgia.

TheJ. Mack Robinson College of Business Administration Buildingindowntown Atlanta,which houses aBank of Americabranch, served as the Illinois First Federal Savings & Loan Association building.Some interior sets were built on soundstages atEUE Screen Gems Studiosin Atlanta. Atlanta'sEast Lake Golf Clubserved asRolling Green Country Clubin the film.

Release

On March 2, 2015,The Weinstein Companypaid $7 million for the film's distribution rights.On March 26, 2015, the studio set the film for a November 25, 2016 release date.In March 2016, the film was moved up to August 5, 2016.On July 13, 2016, the film's release date was delayed until a limited December 16, 2016 date, followed by a wide release on January 20, 2017.The film eventually opened in the United States atArclight Hollywoodon December 7, 2016, in order to qualify for the2017 Oscars.

In February 2017FilmNation Entertainment,one of the film's production companies, sued The Weinstein Company for $15 million. The Weinstein Company releasedGoldon January 27, 2017, a week afterThe Founder,which FilmNation claimed was a breach of contract, saying the two companies had an agreement that no Weinstein Company film would be released within a week before or afterThe Founder.

Reception

Box office

The Foundergrossed $12.8 million in the United-States and Canada and $11.3 million in others territories, for a worldwide total of $24.1 million.

In North America, the film was expected to gross $3 million from 1,115 theaters in its opening weekend.It ended up earning $3.8 million, finishing 9th at the box office.In its second week the film made $2.6 million, a drop of 23.4%.

Critical response

On review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes,the film has an approval rating of 81% based on 248 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Founderputs Michael Keaton's magnetic performance at the center of a smart, satisfying biopic that traces the rise of one of America's most influential businessmen – and the birth of one of its most far-reaching industries. "OnMetacritic,the film holds a weighted average score 66 out of 100, based on 47 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.

Rolling Stone'sPeter Traversgave the film three out of four stars, stating director Hancock and screenwriter Siegel did "strive hard—and mostly succeed—at keeping Hollywood sentiment out of the storytelling.... Set more than a half century ago,The Founderproves to be a movie for a divisive here and now. Step right up. You might just learn something. "RogerEbert.com'sMatt Zoller Seitzgave the film three out of four stars saying that despite the film over-relying on exposition and failing to skillfully incorporate Ray Kroc's personal life into the narrative, "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought aboutThe Founderconstantly since seeing it... It's an ad that becomes a warning before circling around and becoming another, darker kind of advertisement, and one of the most intriguing and surprising things aboutThe Founderis that, in the end, it seems vaguely ashamed of itself for letting this happen ".

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
2016	Capri Awards	Best Actor	Michael Keaton	Won
2017	AARP Movies for Grownups Awards	Best Time Capsule	The Founder	Nominated
		Best Actor	Michael Keaton	Nominated
		Best Buddy Picture	John Carroll LynchandNick Offerman	Nominated

See also

• The Social Network
• List of The Weinstein Company films

External links

• The FounderatIMDb
• The FounderatBox Office Mojo
• The FounderatMetacritic
• The FounderatRotten Tomatoes
• Official screenplay