McDonald's Franchisee Builds Upscale Empire

Ed Bailey is an unusual success story for a franchisee. He is a man who early on dared push the envelope of system standards when the fast-food world was about no-frills. And McDonald's Corporation let him!

And then there is the size of the restaurant empire he has developed. By creating an upscale dining experience at McDonald's, such bold moves helped Mr. Bailey amass some 61 McDonald's restaurants that earn an estimated $135 million in annual sales.

Other McDonald's units are following suit.

Mr. Bailey made the Dallas news yet again by buying two Patrizio restaurants from Dallas restaurateur Jack Knox.

[via The Dallas Morning News. Photo by Librarianguish]