‎Chicago Tribune:
As McDonald’s Corp. moves more deeply into the cafe world of lattes, frappes and smoothies, the Oak Brook-based hamburger chain is attempting to speed up the remake of its U.S. restaurants into cozier places to linger and spend money, according to an outside expert.
Richard Adams, a franchise consultant, said a 2010 pilot program offers a higher level of corporate financial assistance to McDonald’s franchisees willing to revamp their restaurants inside and out. Adams heads Franchise Equity Group, a San Diego-based consulting firm.
Normally, McDonald’s prevails upon franchisees to remodel when their contracts are up for renewal. That occurs with 300 to 400 restaurants nationwide each year, Adams said.