Five Guys, Popeyes, Wendy's, Church's Texas Chicken and Cinnabon are part of a new wave of U.S. food brands entering or expanding in China, while older Western restaurant brands are increasingly shifting local ownership and decision-making to Chinese operators. The lesson for international brands is that China still offers growth, but the old copy-and-paste model no longer works. Localization, local partners, product adaptation and Chinese marketing systems now decide long-term success.