7 Countries That Don't Have McDonald's, Turns Out This Is The Reason

McDonald's (Photo: Instagram/@mcdonalds)

JAKARTA - Although McDonald's is one of the best known fast food restaurant brands globally, there are a number of countries that do not have a single outlet. Some cases are caused by political, economic, cultural, legal or combination factors of all.

According to Aaron Allen, the global restaurant consultant at Aaron Allen & Associates, there are three main factors, namely politics, economic conditions, and demographics.

"If they are not in a country, there must be a reason, namely geopolitical, economic and demographics are usually the main causes," he explained, quoted from the Reader Digest page.

Here are 7 countries in the world that don't have McDonald's.

1. Iceland

McDonald's was present at Reykjavung in 1993, but the global financial crisis 2007 '2008 made the cost of imported materials skyrocket. As a result McDonald's could no longer survive.

This makes it difficult for McDonald's to stay profitable in the long term, "explained Dagn Badminton Stef calms out, CEO and owner of Hidden Iceland.

At the end of 2009, all McDonald's outlets in Iceland turned into restaurants called Metro, with a similar but local menu. Until now, Icelandians prefer fresh food from local farmers.

"Requests for local materials in Iceland continue to increase, so global brands like McDonald's are less attractive," added Stef

2. Russia

McDonald's first appeared in Moscow in 1990 after long negotiations since the 1976 Olympics. The restaurant is even seen as a symbol of melting relations between the US and the Soviet Union.

But in March 2022, due to the Russian-Ukraine war, McDonald's stopped its operations and finally left the market. All outlets have now changed their names to Vkusno & Tochka (meaning Enak & It Only) which now serves about 2 million people per day.

3. Zimbabwe

In Africa, there are only four countries that own McDonald's. Zimbabwe was almost one of them in 2000, but the economic crisis made the plan canceled.

According to Million Belay, a member of the IPES-Food international panel, many factors make fast food chains reluctant to enter Africa, such as high operational costs and weak people's purchasing power. But Belay also emphasized the positive side.

International fast food erodes our local culture. A uniform menu threatens traditional culinary and triggers a health crisis with increasing obesity and diabetes," he said.

4. Bhutan

In this small Himalayan kingdom, McDonald's was never present. The main obstacle is not only the small population and import costs, but also the cultural value. The Bhutan Constitution emphasizes its citizens' obligation to maintain culture, environment and heritage. So fatty foreign foods such as burgers and fries are clearly not in accordance with that value.

5. Iran

McDonald's last appeared in Iran in 1979, before the Iranian Revolution. Since then, Western brands have been banned. Although there is now no official ban, tense political relations with the US have made McDonald's never return. But local substitutes have sprung up. There are Mash Donald's, Pizza Hat, to ZFC who imitate the menu and branding of American fast food restaurants.

6. Bolivia

McDonald's entered Bolivia in 1997, but only lasted five years. The cost of eating at McDonald's is three times more expensive than local food, so consumers prefer a Bolivian salte (a typical empanada) or a burger made by local traders. According to El Cronista media, McDonald's' main failure in Bolivia is not just a cultural rejection, but a local price and taste factor.

7. North Korea

Legally, there are no rules that prohibit McDonald's from entering North Korea. There were even rumors that Kim Jong Un was open to the possibility of Western burger restaurants entering Pyongyang.

However, the political conditions are closed, anti-American and the problem of hunger makes it almost impossible. Even so, according to The Telegraph, North Korean elites have ordered McDonald's from China for personal consumption.