McDonald's Innovation Shifts From Franchisees to Oak Brook

For the past four years credit for McDonald's upward ride on Wall Street is accredited to the flexibility and innovation of corporate management and not franchisees. Years ago franchisees had involvement in new products but McDonald's corporate kitchen and marketing teams now use far more sophisticated product innovation systems than franchisees have access to. Franchisees have been able to ride on the corporate wind, and what a phenomenal ride it has been.

• For more detail read WSJ: McDonald's Chicken Snack a Hit