Fred Turner was a onetime grill man who took the reins at McDonald's Corp. from his mentor, Ray Kroc, expanded the company overseas and increased sales with new menu offerings such as Chicken McNuggets.

Mr. Turner, who died at age 80 on Monday from complications due to pneumonia, joined McDonald's shortly after Mr. Kroc opened his first outlet in Des Plaines, Ill. As head of operations, Mr. Turner helped create the speedy production routines that made the company the largest restaurant chain in the world.

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