What does it take to earn a Michelin Star?

Question

Do you keep it forever or can it go away? Can any type of restaurant earn this award?

Answer 1

They can go away...however I am not certain if a McDonalds can earn this...maybe fine cuisine.  Here is some more info:

study of 36 European restaurateurs revealed the factors that contribute to their restaurants' winning coveted Michelin stars. Based on interviews with chefs in Belgium, France, Switzerland, and the UK, it is revealed that the award of a Michelin star rests almost entirely on the culinary skills of the chef, who is usually also the owner. Michelin offers no written criteria for its star ratings, and the system is complex and requires expensive investments in the property and the food that is served. In addition to excellence in food and service, tradition is a large element in gaining or retaining a star rating. That is, the stars are hard to earn and Michelin is slow to remove them without a serious cause. Also important is family support, both in terms of providing financial backing and for encouraging the chef in operating and improving the restaurant. The chefs reported that a passion for haute cuisine motivates them more than does the prospect of financial return. Despite the espoused conservatism of the system, chefs who hold two or three stars pressure themselves to excel to avoid losing a star. That loss can be catastrophic for restaurants, cutting sales by as much as 50%. Ironically, earning Michelin stars does not guarantee profitability, as nearly half of the restaurants in the sample were deemed not profitable. Typologies of Michelin restaurants based on organization type, complexity, and profitability, are presented.