 In 1979 , two Michigan businessmen , John Rudzewicz and Brian MacShara , entered into a franchise agreement with Burger King to run a restaurant in Detroit , Michigan . After MacShara attended four months of training courses at the regional Burger King training facilities in Michigan and in the Florida headquarters on how to operate and administer a Burger King franchise , it was agreed that the partners would take over operation of an existing Burger King location in Drayton Plains , Michigan . However , during this time disagreements arose between the partners and BK over issues of rent , construction fees , building designs and the assignment of legal liabilities . MacShara and Ruzewicz finally signed their franchise agreement after gaining limited concessions over the issues , with Rudzewicz assuming a 20 @-@ year , $ 1 @,@ 000 @,@ 000 financial obligation over the life of the contract . 
