McDonald’s is one of the most recognizable fast-food chains in the world. It’s hard to go anywhere in the world without seeing the iconic golden arches. But what many people don’t know is that one of the main reasons for the company’s success is their innovative scaling strategy regarding buying land.
In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into how McDonald’s has become the giant it is today by using this strategy and what other businesses can learn from it.
The Genius of Owning Land for Scaling a Business
Have you ever wondered why there are McDonald’s restaurants on almost every corner in every major city? The answer is simple, they own the land that their restaurants sit on. McDonald’s understands the importance of owning the land they operate on.
By owning the land, they have more control over the location, the design of the building, and the surrounding environment. They can also sell the land if they decide to close the restaurant, making it a valuable asset.
By owning the land, McDonald’s can also negotiate better lease terms and reduce the risk of rent increases or lease terminations. This stability helps the company plan for the long-term and makes it easier to finance new projects.
In fact, owning the land has allowed McDonald’s to expand rapidly and become the multinational corporation it is today.
The Strategic Benefits of Owning Land
One of the key benefits of owning land is the ability to control the location.
McDonald’s is known for being strategic about where they build their restaurants. They research the area, looking for busy roads, high traffic areas, and areas with high population density. This allows them to position their restaurants where they will receive maximum exposure and customer traffic.
Another advantage of owning land is the ability to design the building to meet the specific needs of the business. For example, McDonald’s restaurants are designed to accommodate drive-thru traffic and to maximize efficiency.
The company also has the ability to make changes to the building over time to meet the changing needs of the business.
Finally, owning the land gives the company more control over the surrounding environment. For example, McDonald’s can control the lighting, the landscaping, and the signage. This allows them to create a consistent customer experience and brand image.
What Other Businesses Can Learn from McDonald’s Land-Buying Strategy
So what can other businesses learn from McDonald’s land-buying strategy?
The answer is simple, the benefits of owning land for a business are numerous and can help a company grow and succeed. By owning the land, businesses can control the location, the design of the building, and the surrounding environment.
This gives them more stability and the ability to plan for the long-term.
For small businesses, owning land can be a significant investment, but it can pay off in the long run. It can provide stability and security, reduce the risk of rent increases or lease terminations, and allow for more control over the location, design, and environment.
What if You Can’t Afford to Buy Land?
If you can’t afford to buy land, you can still learn from McDonald’s strategy.
By being strategic about where you locate your business, you can maximize your exposure and customer traffic. You can also design your building to meet the specific needs of your business, and control the surrounding environment to create a consistent customer experience.
At the end of the day, McDonald’s success is a testament to the importance of owning land in scaling a business. By owning the land, they have been able to control the location, design
Also, check out The Founder 👆, one of my favorite movies of all time, starring Michael Keaton as McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. You know it’s good when Batman doing business — Enjoy!
