Golden Arches beckon more franchisees in growth drive

McDonald's Corp's decision to allow investors with 2 million yuan ($329,800) and nine months of training to operate an existing restaurant through franchising could fuel its growth in China, despite the risks of high rents and competition.

The fast-food chain granted new franchises in Shanghai and Shenzhen in December. Its website also noted the company is holding seminars for such traditional licensing in those cities.

McDonald's first allowed traditional franchising, in which the licensee leases the restaurant from the corporation, in Jiangsu, Fujian, Sichuan and part of Guangdong provinces in 2010.