How do you tell the difference between a corporate or indivually owned mcdonalds restaurant?

Question

it could be any fast food restaurant. what are some signs if its a franchise?

Answer 1

You don't, because if you did that franchise wouldn't be in business very long.  I worked at a McDonald's when I was in high school and we had ALOT of corporate inspections.

Answer 2

It also depends on the franchisee and the location. Corporate ones are nicer because their image is at stake. Franchised locations can be ugly depending on the owner. Some don't keep the place up well, others do. Really though, there is no way to tell. McDonald's are still franchised, and honestly, there really is no way to tell if one is or isn't owned by the corporation. There is a standard that has to be kept, and if you stray too far, you will have the business taken away.

Answer 3

corporate are nicer and cleaner

Answer 4

The franchises are less likely to spend the money on stuff. They won't get a new sign while the other restaurants already have a new sign. Obviously, corporate is going to want to pay for the stuff.

Answer 5

I don't think they do individually owned McDonalds anymore, I think its totally corporate now =X

Answer 6

15-20% of McDonald's locations are corporate owned at any given time.  The rest are franchisees.  Though McD does hold all stores to a high standard of cleanliness, quality, etc. and does routinely inspect all stores, some are not as up to par as others.  In my experience, both corporate stores and franchises can fall into this category.  But I also know many franchise owners who invest a great deal in their restaurants and exceed the corporate standards.  There is no real way to tell the store's ownership just by looking at it.  The only way might be if there are signs posted about calling for customer service issues.  Sometimes, those will say the name of the owner, or their company, or will have a general McDonald's number.  I do work with (not for) McDonald's so we know on this end which stores are which, but that is meant to be relatively invisible to the customer.

Answer 7

not to sound funny, but if you ask at the store, they tell you.

Answer 8

I know with McDonalds in my area, the corporate stores are faster, cleaner, and better managed, but that is not true everywhere. You usually just have to ask. Some store actually post signs saying that it is a franchise, though.

Answer 9

aren't they all part of a big franchising corporate fast food company?

Answer 10

it's cleaner.

Answer 11

Franchise restaurants have $1.49 happy meals and $1 6 piece mcnuggets. Most corporate do not have lots of specials and cost more.

Answer 12

I can only speak from my own experience ... but ... of the restaurants I've been to that I know are franchises ...

The restaurant is dirty

The food tastes old

They are smaller

They have less upkeep

and a lot of times

They are in desperate need of renovation/landscaping