24. What is the most likely reason the first McDonald's only had nine items A. They could not afford to make more. B. They did not have sources for multiple options. C. They did not want to give people options. D. They knew they could make the food quicker this way.

Below is a step-by-step explanation: 1. **Understanding the Context:** The first McDonald's restaurant was famous for its simplified menu. This limited menu was designed to maximize efficiency and ensure that meals could be prepared quickly and consistently. 2. **Analyzing the Options:** - **Option A:** "They could not afford to make more." This option hints at a financial constraint, but the real reason was not about cost—it was a deliberate choice for operational efficiency. - **Option B:** "They did not have sources for multiple options." This suggests a lack of supply chain or ingredient variety. However, the focus was not merely on sourcing but on the method of food preparation and delivery consistency. - **Option C:** "They did not want to give people options." While this option might imply a marketing decision, it does not get to the heart of the operational efficiency that made the procedure faster and more manageable. - **Option D:** "They knew they could make the food quicker this way." This option is the best choice because the limited number of menu items was a strategic decision to simplify operations. This simplicity allowed the restaurant to serve food in a quicker and more consistent manner. 3. **Conclusion:** The key reason for having only nine items on the menu was to increase the speed of service and ensure operational efficiency. The simplified process meant that food could be prepared and served quickly, which was essential for the fast-food concept. Thus, the most likely reason the first McDonald's only had nine items is: \( \textbf{D. They knew they could make the food quicker this way.} \)