[throwaway373438]

The answer to #4 is probably that the goal isn't to always have ice cream. The goal is to run a profitable business.

Doubling the cost of the ice cream infrastructure to avoid a 25% downtime may not be a profitable venture -- especially if the downtime is scheduled to occur while the store is closed.

[dmix]

Shelf-space is in high-demand and those machines aren't cheap.

[newforms]

McDonalds is in the real estate business (letting buildings), fast food is just a side order.

[justinclift]

Aren't the stores franchise's, with the individual stores owned by the relevant franchisee?

[maxerickson]

The operations are mostly franchised, but the corp owns many of the buildings and plots of lands that they are located on.

https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/about-us/franchising/real...