International restaurant companies are rapidly expanding into untapped markets all over the world. For US based companies, McDonalds (NYSE:MCD) and Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) foreign markets represent a fresh place to grow. Lower taxes, labors rates and regulations make expansion into heavily populated countries like China and India imperative.

After a strong first quarter earnings report in 2009 McDonald’s future looks promising. A weakening US Dollar coupled with overseas growth will make the company a winner going forward. A consistent dividend of 3.30% also rewards shareholders in it for the long haul.