Nationality American | Name Harry Sonneborn | |
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Full Name Harold J. Sonneborn Born June 12, 1916 ( 1916-06-12 ) Indiana, U.S. Occupation Business executive, President of Finances, Tastee Freeze, President McDonald's, 1955-1967] Spouse(s) June (?-?, divorced, 2 children)Aloyis Keister (?-1992, his death) | ||
Years active 1939-1992, his death | ||
The Founder - Movie Clip: "You're In The Real Estate Business"
Harry J. Sonneborn (June 12, 1916 – September 21, 1992) was an American businessman, best known for being the first president and chief executive of McDonald's Corporation.
Contents
- The Founder Movie Clip Youre In The Real Estate Business
- Life and career
- Work with McDonalds
- Other business interests
- References
Life and career
Sonneborn was born in Indiana, the son of Minnie (Greenbaum) and Mark Harry Joseph. He was adopted and raised by his father's sister, Jeanette (Joseph), and her husband, Louis Sonneborn, in New York City.
Work with McDonald's
A former vice president of finances at Tastee Freeze, Sonneborn approached Ray Kroc with the concept of Kroc owning the land that McDonald outlets were to be built on and then leasing that land to the franchisee. Sonneborn rose to be McDonald's president until he resigned in 1967 due to a dispute with CEO Kroc.
Other business interests
After leaving McDonald's, Sonneborn continued to be involved in the business world through the stock market, capital investments, and banking. He and his wife Aloyis founded several philanthropic foundations.