Al Bernardin was an American restaurateur and businessman who invented the McDonald's Quarter Pounder in 1971 as a franchise owner in Fremont, California.
16 Facts About Al Bernardin
1.
2.
Al Bernardin's position allowed him to play a key role in the development of some of the company's signature menu items, including frozen french fries, which allowed for easier storage and transportation, as well as the McDonald's fish sandwich, apple pie and cherry pie.
3.
Al Bernardin was born on February 17,1928, in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
4.
Al Bernardin received his bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1952.
5.
Al Bernardin was first hired to work at McDonald's Illinois corporate headquarters in 1960.
6.
Al Bernardin was promoted to dean of the company's training center, Hamburger University, within just six months of joining McDonald's.
7.
Al Bernardin purchased two company-owned McDonald's in Fremont, California, and relocated to the city in 1970.
8.
Al Bernardin successfully expanded his McDonald's franchise business, eventually owning nine of the restaurants throughout southern Alameda County.
9.
Once in Fremont, Al Bernardin began experimenting with new menu items for his franchises.
10.
In 1971, Al Bernardin introduced the now famous Quarter Pounder at his McDonald's locations.
11.
Additionally, Al Bernardin worked as McDonald's vice president of product development during his career with the company.
12.
Al Bernardin spent approximately two years developing a prototype for buttered corn-on-the-cob, according to his son, Mark Al Bernardin, who is a McDonald's franchise owner.
13.
Al Bernardin spent time as a volunteer at hospices throughout northern California.
14.
Al Bernardin became a major benefactor for the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, known as CHOMP.
15.
Al Bernardin died of complications of that stroke on December 22,2009, at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey, California, at the age of 81.
16.
Al Bernardin was survived by his wife, Joan Bernardin, two children, Kirsten and Mark, three stepchildren, Dan Ryan, Julie Bullas, Kristie Ryan and ten grandchildren.