In any McDonald's, no matter what state, city, or even country you're in, a Big Mac will always be two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun. People crave consistency, and if you're thinking about a franchise opportunity with a fantastic brand like McDonald's, you need to realize you're not selling burgers and fries: you're selling a reliable, consistent, and comforting experience.
McDonald's is a leader in the fast-food market and visible throughout the world. There are immediate benefits to starting a business that has instant name recognition and a large reach. You're not starting from scratch trying to sell a brand to the general public. The general public already knows what they'll get at a McDonald's versus what they'll get at any other large fast-food chain. You won't need to spend time chasing customers or explaining what they'll find inside the restaurant.
In 1940, two entrepreneurs in San Bernardino, California opened the doors of “McDonald's Bar-B-Que,” which was the first step in creating the McDonald's empire we know today. In 1948, they eliminated the barbeque options to focus on hamburgers, soft drinks, and potato chips. Over time, McDonald's has grown to be one of the world's largest corporations, with restaurants in at least 119 countries.
There's no diverging from the recipe, and that is why people have eaten at McDonald's for decades. But is the food the only reason people visit McDonald's, time and time again? Or is it because they know that no matter what store they visit, they'll get exactly the food they expect, every single time?
Besides the already successful food products that McDonald's specializes in, you're also getting a proven operational system. Thousands of other franchisees have developed a system that has a proven track record of success. Your investment in the McDonald's brand will have huge advantages from the outset.
Each McDonald's requires a fair number of low-wage workers, which could require extensive training and have high turnover rates. When you invest in this brand, you'll have access to a network of other franchisees and experienced owners who can help guide you through these processes and situations. There is a tried and tested training methodology that you won't have to invent, and that's ready for you to implement from day one.
Besides the product and operating system you're buying into, it can also be easier to get financing, as most lenders know what McDonald's is and the profits it can produce. Depending on your location and individual circumstances, you may find it much easier to finance a McDonald's rather than a lesser-known fast-food chain.
Even with a brand as well-known as McDonald's, the thing that sets franchisees above the rest is that they understand the experience the customer is looking for, even if the customer doesn't exactly know it themselves. For a lot of customers, their decision to visit your restaurant at dinnertime might look something like this example:
They've had a long day at work, and everyone at home is hungry. Mom and Dad didn't have time to go grocery shopping this week, and even if they did, they wouldn't have the energy to cook. They'd like to take their family to a place everyone can find something they want to eat, but also, they're on a budget. They could go to their favorite restaurant chain close to them, but the restaurant a few blocks further is always a little cleaner, and their employees seem to be friendlier.
Notice that food quality wasn't a consideration because they already know the food they want will be the same at all the locations for their chosen brand. What matters to them is their perception of the individual store. It's a given that the food will be what they expect. What's not a given is how the store or their experience at the store will make them feel. Knowing that you're selling a reliable, repeatable, experience, not just a burger and fries, can make all the difference.
If you no longer want someone else to be in control of your financial future, owning a McDonald's franchise could be your solution. Even if you've never worked in fast food or a restaurant at all, the great news is that it might not matter, so long as you're ready to get in there and engage in some good, old-fashioned teamwork!
Tom Scarda is one of the nation's foremost certified franchise experts (CFE) and has owned and operated his own franchises. If you're ready to jump into franchising a McDonald's restaurant and are looking for reliable, actionable advice, then schedule a call with Tom Scarda today. No charge. No-obligation. No kidding!