mcdonalds international
funny what our lovely chains will do out there in order to ensure profit... McDonald's has modified its products to cater for local tastes, not least in countries that have special dietary laws:
* In Muslim countries like Malaysia, bacon is not served in McDonald's burgers or in its breakfast menu, as pork is haraam, or not permissible under Islamic dietary law. Indeed in Malaysia the hamburger is called the beef burger. Although this does not reflect a different composition, the hamburger terms is not used due to it's unfortunate apparent conotation with ham.
* In Israel, the nature of kosher dietary laws, forbidding the mixture of meat and dairy products, means that cheeseburgers are not popular among Jewish customers; furthermore, all meat not prepared in a certain manner is considered unkosher by strict observers of the dietary laws. McDonald's has taken steps to cater to Jewish customers by opening kosher McDonald's in Jerusalem and Buenos Aires and by offering a 'Passover Bun' for the eight-day period in which practicing Jews abstain from leavened bread.
* In India, the fact that Hinduism forbids the eating of beef prompted McDonald's to use lamb instead.
* Vegetarian burgers are offered wherever there is a significant demand, including India and much of Western Europe.
* In India the Big Mac is replaced by the Maharaja Mac, which was originally a mutton burger, but is now a chicken burger due to a preference for chicken over mutton. Also in India vegetarian and meat dishes are prepared in separate areas of the restaurant in respect for vegetarians.
* In Thailand the Samurai Pork Burger, flavored with teriyaki sauce, is served. In Japan, home of the original teriyaki burger, rice dishes were once served (though no longer) and a chicken sandwich flavored with soy sauce and ginger is a seasonal product.
* The Australian McDonald's menu features the McOz which is similar to a Quarter Pounder and features beetroot, tomato and fried onions, popular additions to hamburgers in Australia.
* In some Canadian locations, McDonald's also sells poutine, a Canadian dish of French Fries, cheese curds, and gravy. some locations in the Maritime Provinces of Canada and in the northeastern United States, McDonald's offers the McLobster (called McHomard in French), a sandwich consisting of chunks of lobster meat on a white bread roll.
* Possibly in an effort for European nations to become more accepting of the McDonald's concept, the first McDonald's in Rome, opened 1986 near the Spanish Steps, is widely heralded as the most luxurious McDonald's restaurant. It features indoor fountains, marble walls and floors among other luxuries not enjoyed by customers in other restaurants owned by the company. It now also features Wi-Fi.
* In Singapore, all McDonald's restaurant have Wi-Fi installed. Customers can have their meals and surf the net with their laptop for free. Starting 2005, some of the restaurants will be operating 24 hours and Singaporeans will get to enjoy home delivery at a flat delivery fee at any time of the day/night.
* In some countries McDonald's is expanding some of its restaurants to include "McCafé" counters, which sell brewed and specialty coffees, frappés, and a range of cakes, biscuits (cookies), and sandwiches in addition to the regular McDonald's menu; the first such McCafé was installed at an existing McDonald's in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. In Portugal, "McCafés" serve coffee in china cups; the country has the custom of after meal coffee (Bica or Cimbalino), which isn't traditionally served in plastic cups.
* In China and Brazil there are specific McDonald's restaurants and counters for ice cream, beverages, and desserts (otherwise rare in China).
* In Taiwan McDonalds has introduced fan kao (literally "baked rice"), a burger-like entree with rice patties in place of buns. It is modeled on the eponymous product of McDonald's Japanese rival, MOS Burger.
* Some franchisers in America have sold doughnuts, and they are a fixture on all British restaurant menus.
* In Peru McDonalds offers "aji" (a spicy sauce) for customers to dip their fries in or add to their hamburgers.
* In the Netherlands, French Fries are most often served with mayonnaise, as it is popular there.
* In Indonesia and the Fiji Islands, McDonalds sells fried chicken, which is by far more popular than the hamburgers. Fried chicken is also offered in Malaysia but it is not more popular than hamburgers, perhaps because of competition from Kentucky Fried Chicken and local fried chicken outlets.
* In the Philippines, McDonald's sells spaghetti, which is called McSpaghetti. In 1993, a popular combo featured spaghetti with fried chicken wings.
* In Australia, Britain and New Zealand, the selection is greatly extended with a range of healthier options under the menus "Salads Plus" (which offers salads, lean-beef burgers, yoghurts and more) and "Deli Choices" (submarine style sandwiches made fresh to order).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald's_Corporation
they suck. they're disgusting. they expand. hallmark of corporate suckers. and stupid consumers. [just ask me. the advertising exec - hah!]