The Founder (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Founder is a 2017 biographical drama directed by John Lee Hancock, starring Michael Keaton, John Carroll Lynch and Nick Offerman. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $24.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 55m (115 min)
- Director
- John Lee Hancock
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Weinstein Company, The
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Founder About?
The premise of The Founder without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1950s California, salesman Ray Kroc discovers the McDonald brothers’ efficient burger restaurant, recognizing its potential for wider success. He connects with Mac and Dick McDonald and proposes franchising their concept, aiming to expand their business nationwide. Driven by ambition, Kroc gradually takes control, transforming the small burger stand into a global fast-food empire and reshaping the industry forever.
The Founder Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- swindle
- burger
- franchising
- fast food
- based on true story
- mcdonald's restaurant
- fast food restaurant
- restaurant
- cheating
- milkshake
- milkshake mixer
- restaurant owner
+38 more Show fewer
- french fries
- food services industry
- lollipop
- idle rich
- restaurant manager
- the american dream
- real estate business
- eating
- processed food
- american culture
- capitalist
- czech american
- ambition
- 1950s
- business executive
- sell out
- alcoholic
- animal abuse
- traveling salesman
- assembly line
- automation
- flask
- argument
- huckster
- selling
- negotiation
- flirting
- brother brother relationship
- mortgage
- reference to ronald reagan
- archive footage
- neon
- third wife
- phone booth
- pay phone
- cigarette smoking
- speech rehearsal
- united states of america
The Founder Cast
Michael Keaton leads the cast, with John Carroll Lynch and Nick Offerman. Directed by John Lee Hancock; 9 actors are credited in all.
-
Director John Lee Hancock
Also Starring in The Founder
· 5 moreMore from John Lee Hancock
More films directed by John Lee Hancock, best-rated first: The Highwaymen, Saving Mr. Banks, The Rookie and The Blind Side.
The Founder Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Founder 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.
-
IMDb 7.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 80% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 82%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 66 Metascore
User score 7.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 3.6 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Founder Plot Summary
What happens in The Founder from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1954, the story revolves around Ray Kroc, portrayed by Michael Keaton, a struggling salesman fervently attempting to sell multimixers for milkshakes to various drive-in businesses across the country. Despite his relentless efforts, Ray faces constant setbacks and failures. He’s particularly frustrated by the slow service and inaccuracies at these establishments, which often serve a rowdy teenage crowd that he doesn’t appreciate.
During a routine check-in with his Chicago sales office, Ray’s secretary, June Martino, informs him about an unusual order from a small restaurant in San Bernardino, California. Initially thinking it’s a mistake, Ray is astonished to learn they want eight of his machines instead of six! Intrigued, he ventures out to the restaurant, discovering it’s a walk-up stand called McDonald’s.
Full summary
The whole story of The Founder, scene by scene
The Founder Box Office
The Founder grossed $24.1 million worldwide. $12.8 million came from the US and Canada and $11.3 million (47%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$24.1M
- US & Canada
- $12.8M
- International
- $11.3M
The Founder Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 5 clips and 2 featurettes.
- Teaser Michael Keaton is "Terrific" TV Spot
- Clip 'You're in the Real Estate Business' Clip
- Clip 'Selling the American Dream' Clip
- Clip 'Franchise the Damn Thing' Clip
How Well Do You Know The Founder?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What was Ray Kroc's occupation at the beginning of the movie?
Cars in The Founder
54 cars on screen, including the 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook Belvedere and the 1990 Daimler Limousine.
-
1953 Plymouth Cranbrook Belvedere Main role -
1990 Daimler Limousine Minor role -
1947 De Soto Custom Minor role -
1949 De Soto Custom Minor role
Seen The Founder?
Movies Like The Founder
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Fast Food Nation, McMillion$ and Billionaire Boys Club.
The Founder FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Founder, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Founder?
The Founder runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).
When was The Founder released?
The Founder was released on January 20, 2017.
Who directed The Founder?
The Founder was directed by John Lee Hancock.
More films by John Lee Hancock Who is in the cast of The Founder?
The Founder stars Michael Keaton, John Carroll Lynch and Nick Offerman, among 9 credited actors.
How much did The Founder make at the box office?
The Founder grossed $24.1 million worldwide ($12.8 million domestic, $11.3 million international).
How is The Founder rated?
The Founder has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Does The Founder have a post-credit scene?
No. The Founder has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
