From The Economic Times' feature on the unfolding legal battle between the fast food giant and Vikram Bakshi, its partner in the joint venture (Connnaught Plaza Restaurants) for Northern and Western India and how it's in stark contrast to its cozy relationship with its franchisee (and former JV partner) for West and South India, Hardcastle Restaurants. McDonald's, globally, does not like to own its ventures or operate them. Its preferred model is a low-risk, low-hassle one: licence out its good name for a fee to a local player; on top of that, charge a royalty linked to sales. So, the more the outlets sell, the more money McDonald's makes. Of its 34,000 outlets in 118 countries, 80% are through this franchise route. But when it entered developing countries, McDonald's often did so via the ownership model. A case in point was India, where it entered in 1995, with two 50:50 joint ventures, one with Bakshi and the other with Jatia. ...With both, McDona...