India was the world’s most populous democracy and was the third largest economy in Asia, just
behind both China and Japan. Given this, it was no surprise that McDonald’s was one of the
earliest American fast food chains to enter the Indian market. The first restaurant was
established in New Delhi in 1996. McDonald’s franchises, while not as widespread as in other
parts of Asia and the Pacific Rim, were now found in many parts of India. In June of 2009, the
company announced expansion plans for forty new restaurants across India increasing the total
number of locations to over two hundred for the country. The current franchise growth rate was
higher in India than any other Asian country. Entry was typically accomplished through the use
of joint ventures with Indian firms.