ANALYSIS: Quarter of McDonald’s stores close amid Covid-19

JOHANNESBURG – McDonald’s is the world’s largest foodservice retailer, serving more than 69 million customers daily at about 38 000 locations in more than 100 countries. 

A new restaurant is opened every 15 hours and the corporation is the second-largest employer globally with 1.7 million employees. 

Not only is McDonald’s one of the most recognisable fast-food brands on the planet, but it is also a well-oiled real estate company that owns property worth $30 billion (R525bn). 

Part of its long-term success and profitability stems not from its world-famous food, but from its ownership of the land and buildings at most of its locations. 

About 90 percent of McDonald’s restaurants are franchised; an arrangement that increases profit margins by keeping the company’s costs down.