A Tour of the World’s Most Exotic McDonald's Locations
These McDonald's sites are examples of its never-ending global expansion.
— -- McDonald's, the biggest burger chain in the world, may be around every corner in the United States, but it’s still barely breaking ground in some countries.
The latest country to have its first McDonald's will be Kazakhstan in Central Asia, in 2015. One of two countries vying to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, Kazakhstan is McDonald's 120th global market.
In the 39th market managed by McDonald's Europe, Kazakhstan's restaurant is expected to open in the second half of next year under a local licensee. McDonald's has locations in over 100 countries, with more than 35,000 restaurants. Established in 1954, McDonald's is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois. The first international restaurants opened in Canada and Puerto Rico in 1967.
Here are some other distinct McDonald's locations around the world:
1. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
In February 2014, McDonald's opened its first restaurant in Vietnam. The 24-hour drive-thru was the 10,000th restaurant for the chain in the Asia, Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region. It was the first drive-thru restaurant ever in Vietnam.
Prior to entering Vietnam earlier this year, McDonald's newest markets launched in 2011. McDonald's came to Trinidad and Tobago, on Sept. 29, 2011. Another location soon followed in early 2012 (pictured above).
Before that, McDonald's opened its first location in Bosnia and Herzegovina July 20, 2011.
3. Shenzhen, China
China's first McDonald's opened in Shenzhen, China, on Oct. 8, 1990.
4. Nanterre, France
This location in Nanterre, France, was one of the first to implement kiosk ordering within the restaurant. McDonald's locations take into account local culture and architecture, the company says.
5. Dengshikou, Beijing
This restaurant in Beijing is reflective of McDonald's modern interior designs that the company says it is incorporating into new restaurants around the world.
In Chinese McDonald's locations, you can buy Sweet Taro Pie in addition to its apple pie staple.