Regarding rent and remodeling costs, from what I have heard, McDonald’s corporate owns the land and building for almost all locations, and rents those locations to the franchise. So if there is a squeeze on rent and building costs, the squeeze is being applied from their own corporation.
And it seems franchising has ups and downs. These business owners benefit from a universally known brand, but find themselves compelled to do things such as all day breakfast that they wouldn’t do if they were in complete control of their business.
No, McD’s doesn’t own the land. They do approve a set of locations. Which probably works against the franchisees since anybody that owns land that’s been “McD’s approved” knows they have good land and it’s time to jack up the rent.