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The following information comes from the 2013 financial statements of McDonald’s Corporation (Company). Conventional franchise arrangements generally include a lease and a license, and provide for payment of initial fees, continuing rent, and royalties to the Company based upon a percent of sales, with minimum rent payments that parallel the Company’s underlying leases and escalations (on properties that are leased). Under this arrangement, franchisees are granted the right to operate a restaurant using the McDonald’s System and, in most cases, the use of a restaurant facility, generally for a period of 20 years. These franchisees pay related occupancy costs, including property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Affiliates and developmental licensees operating under license agreements pay a royalty to the Company based upon a percent of sales, and may also pay initial fees. The results of operations of restaurant businesses purchased and sold in transactions with franchisees were not material to the consolidated financial statements for periods prior to purchase and sale.

Revenues from franchised restaurants consisted of the following:

In Millions		2013		2012		2011
Rents		$6,054.40		$5,863.50		$5,718.50
Royalties		3,100.40		3,032.60		2,929.80
Initial fees		76.70		68.40		64.90
Revenues from franchised restaurants		$9,231.50		$8,964.50		$8,713.20

Future minimum rent payments due to the Company under existing franchise arrangements are:

In Millions		Owned Sites		Leased Sites		Total
2014		$1,321.40		$1,381.80		$2,703.20
2015		1,279.40		1,332.30		2,611.70
2016		1,228.50		1,278.20		2,506.70
2017		1,166.90		1,209.70		2,376.60
2018		1,121.90		1,138.60		2,260.50
Thereafter		9,636.40		8,405.80		18,042.20
Total minimum payments		$15,754.50		$14,746.40		$30,500.90

This $30.5 billion represents the future minimum payments that McDonald’s expected to receive from its franchisees as of December 31, 2013. Address the following questions:

1. Using the element definition from the conceptual framework, should this $30.5 billion be recorded as an asset in McDonald’s 2013 balance sheet? Why or why not?

2. If your answer to Part 1 above is yes, what measurement attributes should be used in reporting the asset?

3. There are three main types of franchise. Describe each of the three and determine which of the three McDonald's conventional franchise arrangement is. Can McDonald's use any of the other two types of franchise? Why or why not? Be sure to provide rationale to support your position.