years ago opened a first non-company owned McD. restaurant in Tianjin. I contacted the M. headquarter in Chicago for the possibility of opening one in China and was told no problem as an owner from the USA. An application is needed; about US$350k (it must come from your own saving. No commercial or personal loans are allowed) as setup cost for one with the location determined by the division headquarter in HK. After the application is accepted, you will need to go to HK for one-year training!! Who has time to go to 麦当老 University for the training? You may go to 天津 to find out.