News: McDonald's to adopt franchise models in North India

(BL 22/02/2007) New Delhi - With a view to penetrate deeper into India's growing food and beverages segment, fast food chain McDonald's is considering adopting franchise model in its North India operations by 2008.

"We are studying the franchising sector in India to identify the right kind of people and opportunities suitable for a business model like McDonald's and hope to launch franchise programme by 2008,'' Managing Director Connaught Plaza Restaurants Vikram B akshi said.

Currently, in its North India operations the McDonald's has 61 outlets, run by a 50:50 joint venture between McDonald's International and Connaught Plaza Restaurants.

The company plans to open another 25 joints in this year and invest Rs 400 crore over the next three years.

"We would invest Rs 400 crore in next three years to increase presence in the smaller towns and cities and are looking at doubling our sales every three years," Bakshi said.

Besides the existing range of fast food, which it offers, the company would by the end of this year bring in the concept of McCafes to India.