The Founder is highly recommended as one of the must-watch films on Netflix. The storyline is based on the ups and downs between American businessman Ray Kroc, and brothers Mac and Dick McDonald in running the most renowned fast-food restaurant in the world today, McDonald’s Corporation.

Films that are based on a true story oftentimes received criticism from the audience who questions the accuracy of the actual events or if it is dramatized to the director's view of the story. Nevertheless, The Founder taught us many important business and life lessons as described below.

A structured system is powerful to manage a team

Some of McDonald's keys to success are a super-fast serving only 30 seconds in each meal, high-quality products, and affordable prices. Kroc likes that idea and immediately recognized an opportunity for this new F&B business concept to be expanded. He tried to convince the McDonald brothers to agree in developing this business through a franchise network.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by The Founder (@thefounderfilm)

There was an unforgettable scene in this film where the McDonald brothers trained their employees on on-time delivery at the tennis court and chains of meal production, such as how long they must be cooked, the right measurement of ketchup sauce, etc. They imagine that the tennis court is a real restaurant, and the McDonald brothers succeed to place fundamental business principles in the fast-food restaurant.

Nothing in this world can replace persistence

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by The Founder (@thefounderfilm)

Persistence is perhaps the biggest lesson this movie teaches. How do you create a restaurant business and become an overnight success at the age of 52? Ray Kroc said, “I was an overnight success alright, but 30 years is a long, long night.” In the job search process, it is tempting for one to look for a shortcut to success. Unfortunately, there isn’t one. Getting a great job offer will take a lot of hard work and rejections, even if you already have a perfect resume. It reminds us of one of the best quotes of success, “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

It’s never too late to achieve your dreams

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by The Founder (@thefounderfilm)

You are not too old to learn something new; at least this is the most important part we can take from this film. Ray Kroc and McDonald brothers found their success at such an ‘old age’, while Kroc was 52 years old, and Mac and Dick were 52 and 45 respectively. If you are still 26 and still haven’t got your dream job, don't be stressed and instead re-evaluate your strategy. Don’t let your age be the excuse for not striving for greatness.

A brand is the voice of your product

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by The Founder (@thefounderfilm)

Ray Kroc was an incredible visionary, as much as you may have had otherwise thoughts about his character in The Founder. He saw the identity the Golden Arches brought with it for the McDonald’s brand and how it became an icon that was recognizable and synonymous with their company. Having a core branding icon, whether it’s the Golden Arches by McDonald's, the tick by Nike, or the apple with Apple - one small identification of a brand speaks more than a thousand words, once you create an identity to match it.

The boss should work harder

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by The Founder (@thefounderfilm)

The McDonald brothers had tremendous problems when they tried to start franchising the chain. Each store had adopted its policy and way of doing things. They were even selling completely unrelated products. The whole notion of McDonald's (and every other franchise for that matter), is to offer to the customer the same uniform experience in every store he/she visits. It doesn't matter if the restaurant is located in New York, California, or Tokyo.

When someone enters a McDonald's store, he should eat the same burger and french fries. Their first attempt to franchise failed because of this. What Kroc did differently was that he was personally responsible for keeping this uniformity across all new stores. He worked day and night in his first store making sure that everything is 100% as it was supposed to be.

It’s perfectly fine to pursue success in your career. But don’t do it at all costs. There is something more valuable than your career path, which is your time with family and friends. As your career failure can be repaired at another time, but it’s not with your human relationship. Be balanced, know your priorities and always be grateful.