Capturing History

Meet Michael Bullington, McDonald's Archivist

Recording and preserving more than 53 years of history for one of the world’s most recognized brands is a big job. Luckily, Michael Bullington, McDonald’s official certified archivist, is always up for the challenge. 

Bullington’s days managing the Golden Archives at McDonald’s consist of everything from responding to requests about the company’s history, to assisting with television interviews to commemorate special milestones such as the 30th anniversary of the Happy Meal. 

Spend a few hours with Bullington, and it’s like stepping into a time machine.  Not only does he have old photos from the early days of McDonald’s when a full meal only cost 45 cents, but also past uniforms, correspondence from founder Ray Kroc and every U.S. Happy Meal toy ever made.

So what does it take to be the archivist at McDonald’s?  According to Bullington, his education in archival science is just the beginning.  His job requires the ability to juggle multiple projects, interact with everyone from restaurant managers to senior leadership and piece facts together with the skill of an expert detective.
 
“I view my job as the gatekeeper of the McDonald’s DNA, making sure it remains present and appreciated throughout the company forever,” says Bullington.