The Founder Film Review: Vision, Determination, and the Drive to Succeed

The Founder Movie Review: Unpacking the Vision and Determination Behind Ray Kroc’s Success

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, vision, and determination, then let me tell you about a movie that’s hugely relevant—The Founder (2016). This film dives deep into the creation of the McDonald’s fast-food empire, and more importantly, it spotlights Ray Kroc, a man who turned a small family-owned burger joint into one of the largest global franchises. Spoiler alert: it’s not just a feel-good story. It’s laden with controversy, moral dilemmas, and a laser focus on success. For anyone interested in business development, this movie is pure gold. Let’s break down how this film can serve as a masterclass in entrepreneurship.

Why The Founder is a Must-Watch For Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship isn’t a smooth road. It’s filled with obstacles, ethical crossroads, and hard decisions. If you’re someone who is looking to excel in self-development, business, psychology, or negotiation strategies, this movie will inspire and also challenge your existing notions. It shows how vision and determination can drive success—not always in the most ethical ways, but certainly in effective ones. Stick around, and I’ll show you why you need to dive into this movie, dissect Ray Kroc’s strategies, and apply them (the ethical ones, at least) to your own personal growth journey.

Step 1: Study the power of vision

Throughout The Founder, Kroc embodies the concept of having a strong vision. Before he even discovered McDonald’s, Ray Kroc was selling milkshake mixers. Not exactly glamorous. But he constantly thought bigger and never settled for mediocre goals. He believed that the best entrepreneurs aren’t in love with products; they’re in love with the future.

To follow Kroc’s example:

• Think big—Imagine not just what your product or service can be, but what it could mean on a global scale. Ask yourself, “How can I turn this into more than just a business, but a global legacy?”
• Look for gaps—Kroc identified inefficiencies in the McDonald’s brothers’ process and saw an opportunity to redefine food service. Examine your industry for gaps where efficiency and systems can revolutionize your niche.
• Stick to the vision—Despite numerous setbacks, Kroc held on tightly to his dream of domination in the fast-food industry. Persistency is critical when you’re pursuing something massive.

Step 2: Build determination like Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc was nothing if not determined. He faced rejection after rejection while trying to sell his milkshake mixers. Many people would have thrown in the towel. But, like many successful entrepreneurs, Kroc used rejection as fuel for his journey.

Here’s how you can foster determination in your own life:

• Reframe setbacks—See every “no” as an invitation to persist. Kroc didn’t let his failures define him, and that’s a key takeaway. Each failure can actually move you forward if you learn from it.
• Focus on progress—Be relentless about improving your operations, even if it’s small daily progress. Kroc’s journey involved endless attempts at improving the McDonald’s system through franchising. Small tweaks can add up to large wins.
• Consistency beats talent—Let’s face it, Kroc wasn’t the smartest man in the room, nor did he have the original idea. But, his sheer determination to push forward propelled him far ahead of others who gave up too early.

Step 3: Understand the psychology of negotiation

The Founder is a crash course in how to master negotiations and break through when alliances or partnerships falter. Ray Kroc was a master at leveraging situations, bending them in his favor, even when it meant driving a hard bargain. At one point, Kroc outmaneuvers the McDonald brothers in a negotiation that ultimately gives him full control of the brand. It’s not exactly pretty, but it’s instructive if you’re aiming to negotiate like a pro.

“Business is war. I don’t care what you say, business is conflict, competition, and negotiation.” — Ray Kroc

Master negotiation by practicing the following:

• Prepare relentlessly—Kroc didn’t go into negotiations blindly. He was always looking for leverage and had a clear vision of how he would get what he wanted. For your deals, the more prepared you are, the more power you have.
• Understand human needs—Kroc knew how to play on people’s insecurities and desires. While manipulation is not advised, understanding the psychological needs of the other party can be incredibly powerful. Ask yourself, “What does this person truly want?”
• Don’t burn bridges (unless necessary)—Kroc made a few enemies along the way, but he also knew how to maintain relationships that still served him. Play the long game in negotiations; winning one battle isn’t worth losing the war.

Step 4: Learn time management from the golden arches

Structured and optimized time management was part of McDonald’s early success. The McDonald’s brothers developed the ‘Speedee Service System’ to deliver food quickly and consistently using an assembly-line approach. This was revolutionary at the time, and Ray Kroc saw the power in efficiency. Time management remains one of the most valuable aspects of productivity (whether you’re in business or not).

How to improve your own time management:

• Streamline repetitive tasks—Just like McDonald’s found a way to systematize food production, look around for things in your life or work that you can optimize. Perhaps you can automate emails, batch similar tasks, or create templates for frequently used documents.
• Create clear timelines—One of the secrets behind McDonald’s success was their ability to deliver fast, without delays. Make sure key tasks have deadlines. Time is money, and delays often cost more than you imagine.
• Focus on key priorities—Kroc realized that perfecting the core service (fast, consistent burgers) was the backbone of the business. Apply this by isolating your most crucial task for the day—then nail it with laser focus.

Step 5: Biohack your performance just like Ray Kroc

When we think of biohacking today, we often think of sleep trackers and smart drugs, but Ray Kroc’s success can also be viewed through a biohacking lens—he optimized his mind and body for unshakeable belief in his mission. He had his routines, his maintenance of energy, and even his mindsets. This is all crucial to performing at your peak capacity.

To biohack like Kroc:

• Focus on your morning routines—Kroc would start his day early, maximizing productivity by tackling important tasks in the morning. Whether it’s exercise, reading, or planning, the way you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows.
• Fuel your brain properly—Not much is said about Kroc’s diet, but it would have been interesting to see how diet, nutrition, and sleep played a role in his hectic life. Make sure you’re leveraging nootropics, healthy eating, and sleep for maximum functionality.
• Maintain resilience through mental conditioning—Running a business empire takes a toll on one’s mental state. Biohacking today shows us that breathwork, meditation, and mental exercises can offer the resilience entrepreneurs need. Find ways to de-stress and stay focused amid chaos.

Conclusion: Apply the lessons in your own life

The Founder is more than just a movie; it’s almost a blueprint for anyone who’s looking to achieve immense success in the business world. Ray Kroc’s journey is filled with lessons that don’t sugar-coat entrepreneurship: vision, determination, mastering negotiation, time management, and even biohacking your mental resilience. Each element is vital for personal and business growth.

Sit down with a cup of coffee, watch the film, take notes, and start thinking about how you can adopt these principles in your own life. Remember, success is a marathon, not a sprint—apply what you’ve learned here, and keep grinding until you build your own empire.

If you found these insights valuable, make sure to dive deeper into related topics on time management and negotiation strategies. And, don’t forget to keep revisiting your goals because constant refining of your vision is key.

“It’s not about having the right resources. It’s about discovering how resourceful you can be.” – Ray Kroc