When we think about super-rich homeowners, we might picture movie stars or tech giants, bankers and business people, but what about the entrepreneurs behind some of the world's most popular fast food chains? From the man behind McDonald's and his 'hamburger house' to Colonel Sander's KFC headquarters, the house that Taco Bell bought and a Starbucks mansion, these delicious dwellings were all built by fast food royalty – and they're almost too tasty to be true! Click or scroll on to enjoy a drive-thru tour...
This 554-acre ranch near Santa Barbara, California, was once the headquarters of, arguably, the world's most iconic fast food chain, McDonald's. In fact, it's the world's largest restaurant chain and, according to Forbes, the company has sold $23.2 billion (£19.3b) worth of hamburgers around the world and despite being founded in 1955, was named in the top 10 world's most valuable brands in 2020. So, where did it all begin and how did this unique HQ come to be?
In 1954, travelling salesman, Ray Kroc visited a small restaurant in San Bernardino, California, run by brothers Dick and Mac McDonald. Kroc was so impressed by its limited menu and speedy service, that he based his franchise business on their model and called it McDonald’s System, Inc. In 1955, Kroc opened the first McDonald’s east of the Mississippi river and by 1961, he owned the company outright. Then, when the fast-food giant went public on the stock market, Kroc became an overnight millionaire.
Kroc snapped up the ranch in 1966, a decade after taking control of the McDonald's franchise, naming it the ‘J and R Double Arch Ranch'. He paid $600,000 (£498k) for the place and moved in with his second wife, Jane. The estate's most famous feature is its grand, circular home, which was built in the early 1970s, after Ray married his third wife, Joan. The property's rotund shape is rather fitting and locals fondly refer to the building as the 'hamburger'.
The property sits atop a small hill on the estate and Kroc spent years turning it into a research facility, where new McDonald's recipes could be cooked up. The home doubled as a holiday retreat for Kroc and the other McDonald’s executives – that's not a bad company perk! Inside, the property boasts gorgeous architectural features, including a central fire pit, soaring ceiling and carved support beams. Its walls of glass also allow for 360-degree views across the landscape outside.
Now known as the Knoll House, the building was the centre of the estate when the Krocs were in residence and features a tiki bar in the main living space. According to the LA Times, the home hosted the think tank where the Egg McMuffin and Chicken McNuggets were born. Yet the round house isn't the only building on the estate. There's also the Golden Arches Lodge (pictured here), which spans 17,000 square feet and boasts a stunning main living room with a 28-foot-high ceiling.
Seven more units, including a library, test kitchen and gym (much needed after all those samples) make up the estate. Sadly, Kroc passed away in 1984 and Joan tried to donate the estate to the Ronald McDonald House organisation to develop as a camp for sick children, but locals apparently opposed the idea. It was later bought by Gerald Kessler, the owner of Nature's Plus Vitamins, but was on the market again in January 2022 for just shy of $27 million (£22.5m). In fact, it's still for sale right now.
Back in 2015, American businessman, Howard Schultz, the chief executive officer of the Starbucks Coffee Company, dropped $25 million (£21m) on this spectacular vacation retreat on Hawaii's sought-after Kona Coast. The residence sits inside an exclusive Four Seasons development, making it perfect for a high-flying CEO. So, how did Schultz get to where he is today?
The world's most iconic coffee company, Starbucks began life fairly modestly. The first store was opened in Seattle in 1971, selling freshly roasted coffee beans, teas and spices, but it wasn't until Howard Schultz took charge of the company in 1982 that sales really took off. Schultz expanded Starbucks from 11 stores to more than 30,000 worldwide. Today, Schultz is worth $4 billion (£3.3b) and Starbucks' sales are thought to be $30.4 billion (£25.3b), according to Forbes.
According to Forbes, the luxurious holiday hideaway is nestled on 1.8-acres of land and benefits from 10,641 square feet of living space. The property is spread across two lots, with the main house sitting on one and four individual pod structures on the other – perfect for visiting friends and family. The pad initially hit the market in January 2015, with a price tag of $33 million (£27.5m), so Schultz gained himself quite the bargain!
The all-teak interior offers a relaxed and easy flow. Inside, there are numerous lounge spaces, nine bathrooms, a games room and a media room. Of course, there’s also a spacious kitchen, complete with teak cabinets, marble counters and plenty of windows that overlook the home’s gorgeous gardens.
There's even a lovely bar area that wouldn't feel out of place in a five-star resort. Plus, as a resident of the Hualalai resort, Schultz gained access to two exclusive golf courses, multiple sports and beach clubs, and swimming facilities. The house also neighbours Kukio, Hawaii’s most exclusive community, where billionaires such as Michael Dell, the founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, own magnificent holiday homes.
Yet who would spend any time indoors, when this beautiful backyard is right outside? The home's exterior features a hot tub, an infinity-edged pool, numerous idyllic cabanas for sunbathing, lounging and dining, and lawns and flower beds filled with native plants and trees. The pad also sits next to the resort’s golf course and is set back from the Pacific Ocean, with views of mountains, coconut trees and lava rock formations from almost every interior and exterior space.
This incredible hillside mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California, was originally owned by Glen Bell, the founder of Taco Bell. The American businessman bought the dreamy estate in 1982 and we can totally see why. Nestled on 3.6 acres, it benefits from high-end amenities, gorgeous landscaped grounds and a stunning interior. Let's find out more...
Bell established the fast food chain back in 1962 and truly epitomises the entrepreneurial spirit. During a summer in Washington, D.C. with his great aunt, Bell began baking blackberry pies and selling them locally. Soon, he decided he wanted to own his own food stand. In 1948, aged just 25, Bell started his first hamburger stand, Bell's Drive-In, and by 1952, he had sold the business and started a second one that sold hamburgers and hot dogs.
Bell soon branched out into tacos and in 1964, Bell franchised his restaurant. In 1978, the 868-restaurant chain was sold to PepsiCo for $125 million (£105m), so it's really no wonder Bell has plenty of spare cash to spend on amazing real estate. This 7,444-square-foot custom mansion has a huge entrance foyer, a plush living room, a formal dining room and endless outdoor entertainment spaces – including an 82-foot vanishing edge pool with a marble waterfall.
The house also boasts a truly magnificent chef's kitchen that's the size of the average city apartment. Everywhere you look you'll spot premium materials and lovely architectural details, such as floor-to-ceiling fireplaces, wood-panelled surfaces, tile work and oversized windows that frame the scenery outside.
There are six bathrooms and five bedrooms, but the master suite is fit for a VIP and might well be the home's biggest selling point. Discretely located in its own private wing, the enormous room comes with a sitting area and access to its very own private walled garden.
As for the master bathroom, well it's huge! It boasts marble surfaces, a large walk-in shower and a raised tub with views of the secluded courtyard garden. Bell's amazing former home landed on the property market back in June 2019, before selling in August for slightly less than $3.3 million (£2.7m).
This stunning waterside mansion in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, belongs to Don Meij, the group chief executive officer and managing director of Domino's. Meij put down $20.9 million (£17.4m) on the place in November 2021, after trading in a wow-factor Aspen chalet for $10.3 million (£8.6m). Despite being in charge of an iconic global pizza franchise, it's likely you've never heard of Don Meij. So, who is he and how did he come to be in charge of one of the world's most loved fast food outlets?
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises was founded in Australia in 1983 but Meij didn't join the company until 1996. In fact, his love for pizza began in 1987, when he worked part-time for Silvio’s Dial-a-Pizza. He soon climbed through the management ranks at Silvio’s, which later bought the Domino’s brand in Australia. In 1996, Meij opened his first Domino’s store in Caboolture, Queensland, and within five years he owned 17 stores. Today, he's thought to take home around $36.8 million (£30.7m) a year.
So, it's really no wonder that the pizza mogul can afford such luxury real estate! His latest purchase was custom-built in 2015 and finished to the highest standards. The sprawling Tuscan-style estate sits behind secure gates on a bluff overlooking Stone Canyon Reservoir. It comes with more than half an acre of land and a stunning 17,000-square-foot interior that offers everything a CEO could need.
Heading inside, the property is opulent and modern, with high ceilings, a crisp white colour palette throughout and lavish amenities, including an indoor pool with a stained glass ceiling, a luxe movie theatre that seats 12, a gym and games room. The front door opens to a grand foyer that spills into a spacious living room, linked to an outdoor terrace thanks to sliding glass doors.
There are eight bedrooms, 15 bathrooms and, of course, a gourmet kitchen outfitted with a bespoke island, high-end appliances and dual stoves – perfect for whipping up a pizza or two! Despite being built in 2015, the house benefits from plenty of traditional design elements, including hardwood floors, decorative coffered ceilings, elegant fireplaces and wood-panelled walls.
There's a stunning master suite with a high barrel ceiling, dual closets, two luxurious bathrooms and a private balcony that offers picturesque vistas. Elsewhere, you'll find a stunning climate-controlled wine cellar and tasting room, an outdoor infinity-edge pool, an outdoor kitchen and a subterranean garage with room for 12 vehicles. Pretty fancy, isn't it?
This enchanting, 32-acre estate in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, was once owned by the Dorrance family, of Campbell Soup Company fame. It features an amazing French Norman-style main residence, several guest houses, staff quarters, enchanting courtyards, rolling pastures, formal gardens and numerous outdoor pools. Let's find out more about the Dorrances, and their spectacular estate...
The Campbell Soup Company started life in 1869, thanks to wholesale vegetable vendor, Joseph Campbell, and commercial canner, Abraham Anderson. In 1894, Arthur Dorrance succeeded Joseph as company president and three years later Arthur's nephew, John T. Dorrance, invented condensed soup – something that the company is still known for today. Thanks to John's success, Forbes named the Dorrances America's 19th richest family in 2020.
It was at this lavish historic home, known as Linden Hill, that the Dorrance family raised their children. Sadly we don't know how much they paid for the place, but we're sure it came with a sizable price tag considering its scale and beauty! The house dates back to 1930, the year John T. Dorrance passed away, so it's unclear which member of the family put down the cash for the property.
Step inside and the true beauty of the home is revealed. The 14,467-square-foot main house boasts historic rooms, with gorgeous period features, but 21st-century amenities. The house was designed between 1928 and 1931 by Edmund B. Gilchrist, for stockbroker Rodman Ellison Griscom, and no expense was spared in its construction. There are grand-scale formal rooms for entertaining and cosy and intimate spaces for quiet family time.
Across the estate, you'll find 14 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a formal living room and dining room, a large gourmet kitchen, a library and a lofted lounge that would make for the perfect home office. Outside, there are also tennis courts, a 10-car garage, a multi-stall horse barn and a woodwork shop.
Yet the estate's most unique feature has to be this one-of-a-kind chicken coup! In 1992, the Dorrances sold the estate to Robert Burch, the former brother-in-law of fashion designer, Tory Burch. The Burch family placed the property on the market in 2013, for $24.5 million (£20.4m) but cut the price to $19.5 million (£16.2m) in May 2015, after struggling to find a buyer. Amazingly, it's been on and off the market ever since and is still for sale right now, for just $10.9 million (£9.1m).
Lynsi Snyder became the majority owner of the popular American fast food chain, In-N-Out Burger, at the tender age of 35, gaining herself a billionaire's bank account. In fact, according to Forbes the entrepreneur is worth a staggering $4.2 billion (£3.5b). With her wealth, Snyder snapped up this sprawling estate, located about 30-minutes northeast of Downtown Los Angeles, for $17.2 million in 2012. So, how did her fortune come to be?
Well, aside from her own hard work, Snyder's success can be put down to her grandparents, Harry and Esther Snyder, who founded In-N-Out Burger in 1948. Over the years, the company grew and now has 358 chains across the US. Sadly, Snyder's father and uncle, both of which were previous company presidents, died young. So by 2000, when she was just 18, Snyder became the last family heir. In 2017, on her 35th birthday, she received the final portion of her inheritance, an additional stake in the chain.
Since gaining ownership, Snyder has expanded In-N-Out by more than 80 locations, proving that she's definitely taking a hands-on role in the job. And what better way to reward yourself for your hard work, than with an incredible mansion in the heart of Los Angeles? The 4.23-acre property features a stunning main residence, a guest house, a six-car garage, a pool cabana and a recreation centre. Let's take a look inside...
The grand, 18,687-square-foot Mediterranean-inspired property is truly mind-blowing. It's clear every space was designed with entertaining in mind and its palatial layout enjoys a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Step through the front door and you'll find yourself in a huge, double-height entrance foyer, decorated with a Cinderella staircase, sleek marble floor and statement chandelier. The hallway leads through to numerous formal living rooms, decorated with French doors, European fireplaces and hardwood floors.
In total, the estate has 11 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, but the master suite is well and truly the pièce de résistance. The space has its own lounge, walk-in closet, ensuite and private balcony overlooking the garden. Other highlights include the home's billiards room, movie theatre and 3,400-square-foot recreation centre, which could be used as a ballroom, dance studio or batting cage – according to the listing!
The home also has three kitchens, a large chef's kitchen, a prep kitchen and this cool outdoor set-up that's perfect for making the most of the Californian climate. The resort-like backyard benefits from panoramic views of the city and is home to manicured gardens, water features, an infinity-edge pool, alfresco dining spaces, a private two-hole golf course and a basketball court. In December 2021, Snyder sold the pad for $16.3 million (£13.6m), making a loss on her initial investment.
This sprawling estate in Shelbyville, Kentucky, was the long-time residence of Colonel Sanders, the man behind everyone's favourite fried chicken outlet, KFC. As well as boasting a lovely private home, the three-acre estate also features an amazing 25,000-square-foot restaurant and banquet hall, which Sanders created for his wife, Claudia Sanders, back in 1959. So, how did KFC come to be?
Colonel Sanders is one of the world's most recognisable faces. The grandfather of fast food had many jobs before he launched KFC – he was a steamboat pilot and a farmer – but in 1930 he bought a roadside motel in Corbin, Kentucky, and began serving his southern-style chicken. In 1939 he perfected his recipe (it's still used today) and by 1952, the first KFC franchise opened near Salt Lake City. In 1964, Sanders sold the company and today it's valued at $8.3 billion (£6.9b).
During his time owning the world's second-largest restaurant chain (after McDonald's), Colonel Sanders clearly made decent money and he used his wealth to buy an historic home that was constructed in 1866. He then set about creating a huge restaurant next door that was named the Claudia Sanders Dinner House. The eatery and house sit next to one another, with a large car park in between.
The house, known as Blackwood Hall, was the primary residence of Colonel and Claudia Sanders for more than 25 years, from 1959 to 1984. The 5,000-square-foot building still retains much of its original period charm, including its sweeping timber staircase, exotic floors, grand chandeliers and pretty woodwork. The front door opens into a unique entrance hall, decorated with bold wallpaper and gilded furnishings.
The hall flows through to a living room, formal dining room, traditional kitchen and a music room with mirrored walls. While we don't know how many bedrooms the house has, we're sure they're all as kitsch as the rest of the interior. The house also still harbours some of Sanders' personal belongings, including the original Kentucky Colonel certificate, a Happy Birthday letter from President Nixon, Sanders’ monogrammed bible, his money clip and wristwatch.
As for the restaurant, the space is almost too big to handle. Spanning 25,000 square feet, it offers countless dining spaces spread across two floors, a huge commercial kitchen, restrooms, a gift shop and a large bar. Both properties are currently on the market with Kentucky Commercial Real Estate for an undisclosed sum. However, according to Delish magazine, the estate is valued at around $392,000 (£327k) – which seems incredibly cheap to us. Grab yourself a piece of fast food history while you can!
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