Ray Kroc (October 5, 1902 - January 14, 1984) took over the then small-scale McDonal's Corporation franchise in 1954 and built it into the most successful fast food operation in the world. Dubbed the Hamburger King, Kroc was included in the TIME 100 list of the world's most influential builders and titans of industry, and amassed a $500 million fortune during his lifetime. He was also the owner of the San Diego Padres baseball team starting in 1974.