Here's Why McDonald's Won't Be Spinning Off Its Real Estate Assets

McDonald's (MCD) won't be spinning off its valuable real estate properties into a real estate investment trust - that's one of the main takeaways from its investor meeting, held on Tuesday. The company's CEO says the move would be too risky. Analysts say the fast food giant's real estate holdings could be worth some $20 billion. McDonald's did appease some investors, saying it will re-franchise some 4,000 locations over the next three years. That's higher than a forecast made back in May of 3,500. Once completed, some 93 percent of its locations will be operated by franchises, up from about 81 percent today. McDonald's says the re-franchising efforts will save $500 million in two years. Shares of McDonald's wrapped up Tuesday's trading session slightly to the upside. TheStreet's Scott Gamm reports from New York.