The first McDonald’s in Montgomery County opened on January 6, 1960, marking the arrival of the fast-food chain locally during its earliest years of expansion. The restaurant was located on the 1300 block of Rockville Pike, near where Best Buy stands today. A newer McDonald’s still operates at that same location.
At the time, the Rockville Pike restaurant was a simpler hamburger stand, reflecting the early McDonald’s model. It wasn’t until the mid-1970s that the company shifted toward the family-style restaurant format most people recognize today, with indoor seating for more than 100 customers and a focus on dining in rather than takeout alone.
Although it was the first McDonald’s to open in Montgomery County, it was not the first in the region. The Rockville Pike location was the fifth McDonald’s in the DC metro area and the 241st nationwide. During those early days, a burger, fries, and a drink could be purchased for under 50 cents…