Ted Theodore, 86, a pioneering McDonald’s franchisee who ran numerous restaurants in the Chicago area, including one of the first to open downtown, died Wednesday, Feb. 14, in Hinsdale Hospital, of congestive heart failure. Known widely as “Ted Ted,” he ran a sit-down restaurant in the 1950s at LaSalle Street and Wacker Drive, the building where Ray Kroc made his office when he was starting the McDonald’s corporation. Kroc lunched in the restaurant and over time persuaded Mr. Theodore to open a McDonald’s franchise. Confident that 15-cent hamburgers could pay off the $1,900 franchise fee if sold in sufficient volume, Mr. Theodore opened his first McDonald’s in Northlake in 1952. “He had all the faith in the world and it paid off for him,” said his daughter Mary. He opened three other McDonald’s restaurants over the years, and retired in 1985 after selling his stores. A social man, he actively attended McDonald’s conventions and developed long friendships during the course of his professional life. He and his wife, Georgia, whom he married in 1938, spent their retirement visiting with their grandchildren and going out for leisurely lunches near their Oak Brook home. His wife died in 1995. In addition to his daughter, Mr. Theodore is survived by a son, Harry; another daughter, Sandi Krillies; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday in Hursen Funeral Home, 4001 W. Roosevelt Rd., in Hillside. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church, 2601 Wolf Rd., Westchester.
