McDonald's Shift from Burgers to Billion-Dollar Franchise Spells Trouble for Customers

McDonald's has transformed from a company that sells burgers to a vast franchise, real-estate, and financial operation. This shift has led to rising prices and decreased quality of food.

Inflation may be a factor in the increasing costs, but McDonald's is using its franchise model to collect billions in fees and rent while returning enormous sums to shareholders through dividends and stock buybacks.

The people making and serving the food are left to absorb the pressure of higher costs, lower margins, and an increasingly corporate-controlled system.