Owning and operating a McDonald’s franchise could be a “golden opportunity” for a cashed-up local.

Long-rumoured plans about a McDonald’s in Wānaka were confirmed last week to the Wānaka App, after the company submitted a resource consent application for a 24/7 McDonald’s restaurant at Mt Iron Junction.

The application said the restaurant could employ 40-50 locals and said franchises are “typically franchised to people who live locally”.

The company’s website says that figure is as high as 85 percent.

McDonald’s Restaurants NZ spokesperson Simon Kenny would not be drawn on any questions about franchisees for a possible Wānaka restaurant.

He told the Wānaka App questions about franchisees were for “much further down the track”.

However, with a 12-month training programme required for any new franchisee, there’s a good chance the company has put some thought into it. 

The McDonald’s Restaurants NZ website says operating a franchise provides a “golden opportunity”.

It warns however that it involves a lot of hard work and long hours.

Any applicant must have circa $1.7M in unencumbered cash funds and be willing to accept a franchise placement in any location within New Zealand.

Prospective franchisees must (if selected) undergo McDonald’s’ 12-month Registered Applicant Training Programme, which is full-time and unpaid, and being accepted into the training programme does not guarantee a franchise.

They need to have business know-how too, with McDonald’s requiring an applicant to have “a successful business or career, demonstrated significant team leadership and know how to attract and develop talented people.”

Any local franchisee would also need to have thick skin, as the news of McDonald’s plans for Wānaka has caused heated backlash in the community.

More than 4,500 people have signed a petition asking the local council to turn down the company’s application for a local restaurant - if those signatories are all local, they would signify around a quarter of the Upper Clutha’s population.

McDonald’s NZ submitted its resource consent application to establish a 445m2 restaurant and drive-thru on Wānaka’s outskirts on November 16.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is currently vetting the application.

See also:

Residents not lovin’ it - McDonald’s backlash

McDonald’s plans for Wānaka restaurant

PHOTO: Stock Photo