McDonald’s is one of the most popular fast food chains in the world. It is the second largest private employer in the world and the largest restaurant chain in terms of income. Two-thirds of restaurant revenue is collected by the franchise outside the United States. The fast food restaurant has around 36,900 in 100 countries, serving 60,000 people daily. McDonald’s is known for its burgers, chicken products and fries among other products. Although fast food seems to have its presence everywhere, there are 90 countries that do not have one. Some of these countries once had McDonald’s, but it had to close for economic or political reasons. Below are some of the countries without McDonald’s restaurants.
Country without McDonald’s Restaurants
Countries in Africa without McDonald’s
Although Africa is one of the most populous continents and a growing demand for fast food, McDonald’s is only present in four of the 54 countries, namely Morocco, Egypt, South Africa and the Mauritania. Combined, these four countries have outlets 387. In perspective, Mexico has more McDonald’s restaurants than all of Africa combined in outlets 393. Since the start of the new millennium, talks have taken place to open McDonald’s outlets in countries such as Ghana, Zimbabwe, and possibly Kenya, but the plans have since been abandoned. For now, anyone in Africa who wants to enjoy the McDonald’s burger will have to travel to the north or south of the continent.
Countries in Asia without McDonald’s
There are a considerable number of McDonald’s outlets in Asia with countries such as Japan, China and Korea, which have hundreds of outlets. However, several countries on the continent are deprived of the popular restaurant chain. North Korea, Iran and Afghanistan are among the Asian countries that lack McDonald’s products.
Countries that have closed McDonald’s restaurants
Iceland is one of the most prominent countries in Europe without any McDonald’s. The small country closed all outlets following the collapse of their currency (Icelandic krona) in 2009. The country’s economic crisis at the time resulted in high costs of importing food products demanded by McDonald’s.
Macedonia had six outlets that operated for about six years before being closed due to a dispute between the European headquarters of McDonald’s and the company that operated the franchise in Macedonia.
McDonald’s outlets in Bolivia, which had operated in the country in the 14s, were closed due to political instability that prevented the company from making a profit.
In Bermuda, the construction of a sales outlet was halted due to constant protests and the law prohibiting the establishment of a franchised restaurant in the country.
Why is McDonald’s not in these countries?
Although most of these countries have a potential market for fast food, the lack of disposable income of citizens is considered a major setback in the creation of outlets in these countries. In some countries like Macedonia, McDonald’s has not established or closed outlets for political reasons. In Iceland, outlets were closed due to the economic crisis that hit the country in 2009. Some countries like Nigeria are unable to access McDonald’s services due to lack of supply chain adequate, as they are very far from countries with McDonald’s restaurants.
Country without McDonald’s Restaurants
| Country without McDonald’s Restaurants |
|---|
| Afghanistan |
| Albania |
| Algeria |
| Angola |
| Armenia |
| Azerbaijan |
| Bangladesh |
| Barbados |
| Belize |
| Benign |
| Bhutan |
| Bolivia |
| Botswana |
| Brunei |
| Burkina Faso |
| Burma (Myanmar) |
| Burundi |
| Cambodia |
| Cameroon |
| Green cap |
| Central african republic |
| Chad |
| Comoros |
| Congo |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of |
| Djibouti |
| Dominica |
| East Timor |
| Equatorial Guinea |
| Eritrea |
| Ethiopia |
| Gabon |
| Gambia |
| Ghana |
| Grenade |
| Guinea |
| Guinea-Bissau |
| Guyana |
| Haiti |
| Iceland |
| Iran |
| Iraq |
| Israel |
| Ivory Coast |
| Jamaica |
| Kazakhstan |
| Kenya |
| Kiribati |
| North Korea |
| Kyrgyzstan |
| Laos |
| Macedonia |
| Madagascar |
| Malawi |
| Maldives |
| Mali |
| Marshall Islands |
| Mauritania |
| Mauritius |
| Micronesia |
| Mongolia |
| Montenegro |
| Mozambique |
| Namibia |
| nauru |
| Nepal |
| Niger |
| Nigeria |
| Palau |
| Papua New Guinea |
| Rwanda |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis |
| St. LUCIA |
| Sao Tome and Principe |
| Senegal |
| Seychelles |
| Sierra Leone |
| Solomon Islands |
| Somalia |
| South sudan |
| Sudan |
| Swaziland |
| Syria |
| Tajikistan |
| Togo |
| tonga |
| Tunisia |
| Turkmenistan |
| tuvalu |
| Uganda |
| Uzbekistan |
| vanuatu |
| Yemen |
| Zimbabwe |