McDonald’s wants to open more franchised stores in western China in a bid to expand in a faster and more cost-efficient way. McDonald’s China issued its first “developmental licenses, a form of franchising, to a catering enterprise in Yunnan province last week. With the license, the franchisee will take over the operation of the existing 11 McDonald’s restaurants in the province and has the right to open new ones across Yunnan. Globally, more than 80% of McDonald’s 33,000 stores are run by franchisees. In China, however, the group only has six conventional franchised outlets and runs the other 1,300-plus stores itself. Under the developmental license, McDonalds will collect a royalty based on restaurant sales. The company was also looking for franchise partners in other inland provinces, but would continue a self-run business model in first- and second-tier cities in coastal regions. McDonald’s is trying to catch up with major rival KFC, owned by Yum! Brands, which runs more than 3,000 restaurants in China, more than double the number run by McDonald’s.