McDonald’s Taiwan puts up ‘for sale’ sign, moving to franchisees

TAIPEI - Taiwan outlets directly owned and operated by McDonald’s Corp. are up for sale as part of the U.S. fast food giant’s global reorganisation strategy. “We are looking for investors as developmental licensee partners,” McDonald’s Taiwan said.

McDonalds says it has operated franchises in 70 markets worldwide for 30 years and views the strategy as particularly effective when it comes to responsive decision-making and business expansion.
“McDonald’s will not pull out of Taiwan, nor will our commitment to high standards of food safety change with the new business strategy,” the company added.
Cynthia Kiang, Director-General of the Department of Commerce under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said McDonald’s is planning to sell 3,500 stores worldwide to franchisees, “and Taiwan is on the list, given the country’s maturing market”.
When it opened its first store in Taipei City 31 years ago, McDonald’s was the first US fast food chain to venture into the local market. The company now accounts for nearly half of all Western-style fast-food restaurants in Taiwan, with 414 outlets.Less than 17 per cent of these are operated as franchisees. Local investment totals NT$2.76 billion (US$88.75 million).  www.taiwantoday.tw (ATI).