that's about right. the mcd tycoon in the north bay, a chink, had to pay a franchise fee of over usd500k for each joint. that was in the 70s. his claim to fame is location and scale. no point operating just one joint when he could start with 3 or more on day one. that was his pitch to win the franchise for a competitive and lucrative market area which included sf, oakland and napa/vallejo. moreover, to be awarded the franchise, he had to show net worth and holding power. usd10m in collateral and assets were not far-fetched. there were other franchise applicants who were typically immigrants with some money to secure residency. this tycoon now has large tracts of land in vallejo, a ranch, a mansion on the ranch grounds, servant and visitor quarters, a lake, an indoor gym cum basketball court, several tennis courts, etc. i was there for a rotary club picnic. he now has over 50 mcd joints in the north bay. the south bay is dominated by another mcd franchisee tycoon. when there were too many franchise applicants, mcd preferred to award to only a select few with financial means who could cover regional market areas than giving franchise licenses to any stand-alone single-joint mom and pop. at that time, mcd was a much sought-after franchise, in its ascendancy, and in a commanding position to call the shots.
