The three-legged stool - the suppliers

A third group of stakeholders, critical to the success of the franchise operation, is the suppliers. As McDonald's considers the quality of its products to be of absolute importance, it sets standards for suppliers that are amongst the highest in the food industry. McDonald's believes in developing close relationships with suppliers - everything is done on an open accounting, handshake trust basis.

The suppliers work closely with McDonald's to develop and improve products and production techniques. This close interdependency is described as a three-legged stool principle, and involves McDonald's, the franchisees and the suppliers. Suppliers that are able to meet the quality standards set down by McDonald's have been able to share in the growth and success of McDonald's.