9 Countries that have banned McDonald

In the United States, you can barely be 100 miles from a McDonald’s. Because of this, it might come as a surprise that some countries don’t have a single one. But it is true; everything from economic collapse to political strife has resulted in these nations being free of the Golden Arches.

McDonald's is an American fast-food company founded in 1940. It was originally a single restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. The restaurant rebranded as a hamburger stand, and the company became a franchise in the following years.

The famous golden arches logo first appeared at a Phoenix, Arizona location in 1953. Ray Kroc joined McDonald's as a franchise agent in 1955 and purchased the chain from the McDonald brothers. The McDonald's headquarters is currently located in Chicago, Illinois.

McDonald's is the largest restaurant company in the world. There are over 37,000 McDonald's locations in about 120 countries around the world. The chain employs more than 1.7 million people and serves more than 70 million people. McDonald's revenues come from restaurant sales, royalties, and fees and rents paid in by the franchisees. As of March 2020, McDonald's has a market capitalization of $122.9 billion. In fiscal year 2019, McDonald's full-year results included system-wide sales of over $100 billion and consolidated revenues of $21.1 billion.

McDonald's success as a brand comes from its affordable food, incredibly fast service, menu item selection, and strategic marketing. McDonald's jingle, "ba da ba ba ba, I'm lovin' it," is easily recognizable and known by people everywhere.

McDonald's was the first fast-food chain to serve breakfast with its well-known Egg McMuffin. McDonald's lost money for five years before serving breakfast proved profitable; however, serving breakfast has since been one of McDonald's smartest decisions. In 2015, McDonald's starting serving its all-day breakfast menu amid increasing demands from customers. The decision causes McDonald's sales to increase by 5% in the first years of offering breakfast all-day.

Many countries that have McDonald's restaurants have different menu items that are unique to that country.

McDonald's is not only one of the most successful fast-food chains in the world, but it is also one of the most iconic corporations in the world.

1. North Korea

It should come as no surprise that one of the most restrictive and controlling countries in the world won’t allow McDonald’s to break ground on their soil.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is not a fan of the United States, but when it comes to McDonald’s burgers, he’s willing to make an exception … at least for himself. Sources say he regularly has Big Macs flown in from China so he can indulge his personal McDonald’s cravings, even if no one else in the country is allowed to.

2.Yemen

McDonald’s is picky about which countries they venture into, and they only operate in places that are deemed economically viable. Yemen doesn’t fit the criteria.

The unstable economy is the biggest reason why there aren’t any McDonald’s restaurants in Yemen, but safety is also a factor. There’s a real concern that any American establishments in this region would become automatic targets for terrorist attacks and On the other, extremists in Yemen have threatened militant action against any McDonald’s that dares show its arches in the country. 

3. Macedonia

This small European nation, located in the Balkans, used to have a few McDonald’s restaurants; seven, to be exact, with several of them in the nation’s capital, Skopje. In 2013, the person running the Macedonian McDonald’s lost their license, causing all seven stores to permanently close. Rumor has it that the Macedonian franchisee and the European CEO of McDonald’s had a fight.

4.Bermuda

Until 1995, there was only one McDonald’s restaurant on this Caribbean island. Now, there are zero. The country has a law banning foreign fast-food joints that has been in place since the 1970s. McDonald’s, however, managed to find a loophole in 1985 by building a Mickey D’s on a U.S. Naval Air Station. That station closed in 1995, however, and the McDonald’s closed with it.

When McDonald’s attempted to open a restaurant on this island nation in 1996, the residents went on the offensive, effectively instituting a law that prohibits franchisees from going here.

And it’s not just McDonald’s — there are no fast food restaurants permitted to cross onto their idyllic shores. Bermuda also bans neon signs and billboards.

5.Bolivia

It’s not that McDonald’s isn’t allowed to operate in Bolivia — it’s more that no one wants it there.

At least, that’s what the sales are saying. The last restaurant in this South American nation closed up shop in 2014 following sub-par performance that had them operating at a loss.

Bolivians aren’t enamored by the existence of fast food in general. As their president Evo Morales said in a speech, “They [McDonald’s] are not interested in the health of human beings, only in their earnings and corporate profits.”

6.Iceland

Iceland suffered a major economic crash that crushed McDonald’s prospects in this island country. Unlike Zimbabwe, though, Iceland had McDonald’s before the 2009 crash, in its capital city. Rumor has it, though, that the government of Iceland wasn’t that happy to have Happy Meals in the first place, since Iceland is an incredibly health-conscious nation. Despite all that, though, there’s a chance Iceland could leave this list in the near future.

7.Montenegro

In 2003, McDonald’s bought a tiny store in this tiny nation; it was just a “mobile McDonald’s,” opened with the hope that it could lead to something more permanent. Though many people embraced Mickey D’s food in all its greasiness, the government teamed up with local businesses to prevent Ronald McDonald from making a permanent home in Montenegro.

8.Iran

In recent years, relations between this Middle Eastern country and the United States have been tense to say the least, and Western franchises like McDonald’s have been collateral damage. There hasn’t been a set of Golden Arches in Iran since 1979. However, that hasn’t stopped people from wondering whether the chain could eventually make a comeback. Further complicating matters, Iran has created its own McDonald’s substitute, Mash Donald’s.

9.Zimbabwe

In 2000, McDonald’s was in the midst of an attempt of opening franchises in Zimbabwe's capital of Harare but when the economy of the country collapsed. the conversations came to an abrupt stop. The McDonald’s folks promptly backpedaled, and Zimbabwe has remained McDonald Free. There is buzz that it may try again in the near future.