The Founder Movie Guide

A complete lesson plan with discussion questions, writing activities, and leadership worksheets

This resource helps teachers use the story of Ray Kroc and the start of the McDonald's empire to help students analyze what it takes to succeed in the business world.

WARNING

This is a DEEP LEARNING lesson plan to help students employ a LEADERSHIP approach to SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Included in this leadership movie guide:

Time Stamps
Answer Key
Fillable PDF Version
Google Form Version

What educators are saying:

"Good for film studies. Provides the necessary scaffold needed to guide students through the work."

- Phil J. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"This was exactly what I was looking for. My homeschool teen co-op loved this movie and thanks to your amazing packet, got so much more out of the movie. I highly recommend this packet for students who are interested in US History, entrepreneurship, and a great story overall."

- Lisa B. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I modified this to fit my entrepreneurship class, but it was a great baseline activity for the movie The Founder."

- Stephanie E. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Movie Guide Activities

Each of our leadership movie guides includes the following activities:

Reflection: allows students to journal about one of the movie's themes prior to watching.
Analysis: questions and prompts to analyze the movie's characters, plot, and climax.
Practice & Discussion: a partner/group activity that takes the principles of the movie and asks students to take action and grow in their own lives.
Extension: a RAFT (Role-Audience-Format-Topic) writing prompt to help students apply their new knowledge.
Lead for Impact: challenges students to pinpoint how the hero of the story exhibited The 12 Fundamentals of Impact and then synthesize how they can apply the lessons to writing their own story.

The activities in The Founder Movie Guide will challenge students to move closer to mastery in the following life skills:

leadership
cooperation with others
creativity
critical thinking
emotional intelligence
problem-solving
judgement and decision-making

1. The Founder Movie Guide PDF
2. The Founder Answer Key for Movie Guide
3. The Founder Fillable PDF Movie Guide
4. The Founder Google Form Movie Guide
5. The Founder Video Preview
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Social Emotional Learning Competencies

These leadership activities are designed to help students meet the following Social & Emotional Learning Competencies as outlined by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL):

Develop SELF-AWARENESS and SELF-MANAGEMENT skills to achieve school and life success.
Use SOCIAL-AWARENESS and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS.
Demonstrate DECISION-MAKING skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts.

Movie Synopsis

The Founder details the rise of McDonald's and the complex story of Ray Kroc.

Set in the 1950s, Kroc, a struggling milkshake machine salesman, discovers a small but innovative burger restaurant in San Bernardino, California, run by brothers Dick and Mac McDonald. Impressed by their efficient "Speedee Service System" and high-quality food, Kroc convinces the brothers to franchise the business with him as their partner.

Driven by ambition, Kroc aggressively expands McDonald's across the U.S., turning it into a fast-food empire through savvy marketing, real estate strategies, and relentless hustle.

However, tensions rise as Kroc’s vision clashes with the McDonalds’ focus on quality and simplicity. His ruthless business tactics—streamlining operations, cutting costs, and prioritizing profits—alienate the brothers. Kroc exploits loopholes in their contract, sidelining the McDonalds and eventually buying them out for $2.7 million in 1961, though he breaks a handshake deal to pay them ongoing royalties.

The film portrays Kroc as both a visionary and an opportunist, highlighting his role in creating a global brand while overshadowing the brothers’ foundational contributions. It’s a story of entrepreneurship, betrayal, and the cost of the American Dream, culminating in McDonald's transformation into a cultural juggernaut.

Movie Rating

PG-13
Movie Run Time

1 hour, 55 minutes
Grade Levels

8th-12th
Ideal Classes

Business, History, Leadership, Character Education, Life Skills, Career Development

The Founder Movie Guide provides activities to help students become better leaders by focusing on the following themes:

Ambition and Determination:

The film highlights the ambitious and determined nature of Ray Kroc, who transforms a small burger restaurant into a global empire. It examines the lengths to which individuals are willing to go to achieve success, sometimes at the expense of others.
Entrepreneurship:

The story delves into the world of entrepreneurship, depicting the challenges and opportunities that arise when individuals try to build and expand their businesses. It contrasts the innovative approach of the McDonald brothers with Kroc's aggressive franchising strategies.
Ethics in Business:

The movie raises questions about ethical business practices as Ray Kroc takes control of the McDonald's brand. The tension between profit motives and ethical considerations is explored as Kroc's actions affect the original founders and the integrity of the business.
Corporate Greed:

The Founder sheds light on the darker side of corporate success, portraying Kroc's actions as he maneuvers to gain control of McDonald's. It reflects on the consequences of unchecked ambition and the potential for corporate greed to overshadow the values on which a business was built.
Betrayal and Conflict:

The film explores the theme of betrayal as Kroc's business practices lead to conflicts with the original McDonald brothers. The tension between personal relationships and business interests is a central element of the narrative.
American Dream:

The movie reflects on the American Dream and the pursuit of success, showcasing both the opportunities and challenges that come with building a business empire. It raises questions about the cost of achieving the American Dream and the sacrifices involved.