News about franchising

McDonald's (MCD) is set to become the newest Dividend King, joining fewer than 60 U.S. public companies that have raised dividends for at least 50 consecutive years. Its latest quarterly payout is $1.93 per share, up 4% from the prior payout, and investors who own the stock by Dec. 1 will receive it on Dec. 15. The article cites its franchise model, with 96% of its 45,356 global stores franchised as of Dec. 31, 2025, and a 4.5% free cash flow yield. Shares are down 20.5% year-to-date and 28.9% from their March 2 all-time high of $341.75, leaving a P/E of 19.7 versus a 10-year median of 25.8. It also notes U.S. same-store sales rose just 0.8% in the second quarter of 2026, and an $8.5 billion, 10-year investment plan with $5 billion in costs front-loaded through 2030.