An old innovator joins new ones at trade fair

Many innovative products are on display at the 137th China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou's Pazhou Complex. But one of the world's renowned past innovators is there, too.

That innovator is McDonald's, whose standardized menus and cooking methods have evolved into what is arguably the leading example of consistency and efficiency in fast-food services on the planet.

When you walk into a McDonald's franchise anywhere — even with its custom tweaks to the food lineup to serve local tastes — you know exactly what to expect. And its success has spawned many imitators.