I know there a number of businesses , i.e Mcdonald's, Welchams that operate on base. I was wondering there the guidelines and polices are for starting a business on base. I think MWR has something to do with it, and how does rent work?

Those franchises are all owned by AAFES or NEX services (US Gov), all the name brand stuff, like Chili's, McD'd BK's Anthony's, Pizza Hut etc. It's not something you can own personally but wouldn't it be nice?

Then they hire the managers, and crew as needed to run them. So essentially they control the monopoly and the competition backed by federal money.

Some restaurants are filled by contractors like the local stuff, example Route-16 in Yokota. The building is owned by the AF (Gov) and the business is run by a private vendor after winning the bid and conforming to the requirements. I'm sure they pay a fairly decent amount to be able to maintain the business on base after everyone gets their cut.

Ironically.. the route-16 has new management once again, as it turns out the former owner/manager was buying contaminated food from the danger/avoid area in Japan and sneaking it in after hours so it didn't get inspected and then selling it to the troopers. The employees notified the OSI and they took him down and booted him off all military installations.

I guess I mean more like the small nick -nack shops and other random services that are on base clearly not ran by base or MWR.

Those shops compete for the contact to get the floor space. I know someone in that business and from what I understand those who actually get selected have more to do with how much they grease the wheel, who they know and where they are from. One thing that was pointed out to me is that it appears that being a US veteran holds no special merit in that selection process. So you could say it works almost the same way it does everywhere else in the world. If you're one of the vendors that sets up daily in the walkways that may be easier to get, I heard they pay about 250.00 a month just to try to sell their magic carpets or coconuts carved into something special. It amazes me that some continue to remain in business very long I guess someone is spending money there.

This is a related thread from those actually on the approval side:

http://www.japanbases.com/forums/aft/6665.aspx