Restaurant chews on value of free Internet

McDonald's has become the latest catering chain to offer free Internet access to customers as more young professionals come to regard wireless online access as an essential part of life.

The fast-food chain has been expanding aggressively in Beijing since last year. In 2010, it plans to open another 150 outlets in China.

Cao Gengxin, manager of the McDonald's in Andinglu, told METRO the company will install Wi-Fi in 15 stores in upscale Beijing neighborhoods as pilot projects to see if the idea should be rolled out.