Bermuda: The Island That Says “No Thanks” to Golden Arches
You might think of Bermuda as a paradise for tourists, but there’s one thing you won’t find on this beautiful island: McDonald’s. In 1977, Bermuda put the Foreign Restaurants Act into effect, disallowing international chains from operating on the island. This wasn’t just a casual decision – it was a deliberate move to protect the island’s character and local businesses. In 1985, the burger joint opened on a U.S. naval base, so while it was geographically open on Bermudian shores, the company operated on declared U.S. soil. But when that naval base closed in 1995, McDonald’s had to pack up and leave. After a former premier tried to incorporate a McDonald’s franchise under his company in 1995, it sparked an outcry, and the Prohibited Restaurants Act of 1997 was introduced, criminalizing the operation of foreign restaurants in Bermuda. Today, the only international fast food chain you’ll find is a single KFC that opened before the ban took effect.
Iran: Where McDonald’s Became “Mash Donald’s”
Since the country’s revolution in 1979, McDonald’s hasn’t been welcome in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The relationship between Iran and American fast food chains went south fast when the political climate shifted dramatically. The last attempt by a would-be franchise owner in 1994 resulted in the potential location being destroyed within days. But here’s where it gets interesting – Iranians didn’t just give up on burgers. Within the capital city of Tehran, those who wish for the operation of U.S. fast food chains have created their own spin-off, Mash Donald’s, in an attempt to get as close to the essence of the Golden Arches as possible. The menu features its own version of a Big Mac, called the baguette burger, as well as falafel sandwich which, honestly, sounds delicious. It’s like having your cake and eating it too, except it’s having your burger while still making a political statement.
Bolivia: The Country That Kicked Out McDonald’s
Bolivia’s story with McDonald’s is particularly fascinating because the country actually tried having the chain – and then decided it wasn’t worth it. Though McDonald’s was able to open a franchise location in the South American nation, it was ousted from the country in 2002. This wasn’t about economics or supply chains; it was about values and culture. A former Bolivian President has been cited accusing the Golden Arches and other Western fast-food chains of doing more harm than good for humanity, noting correlations between global corporations and rising poverty levels. This sentiment combined with proud Bolivian culture and a view of food as sacred means no McDonald’s for locals or tourists alike. The rejection wasn’t just business – it was personal. Bolivians basically looked at McDonald’s and said, “Thanks, but our food culture is way better than this.”
Iceland: When Financial Crisis Melted Away the Golden Arches
Iceland’s McDonald’s story reads like a financial thriller with a side of French fries. The fast-food chain left the country on 30 October 2009 following the Icelandic financial crisis in 2008, which caused Iceland’s currency, the króna, to plummet in value. Ogmundsson said the cost of raw materials used in McDonald’s meals had doubled in the last 18 months, and that there was little hope Iceland’s economy would pick up enough to make the business viable. The franchise owner found himself in an impossible situation – he was paying the equivalent of a bottle of good whiskey for a kilogram of imported German onions. This made the Big Mac price in Iceland to rise from 650 krona (US$5.29) to 780 krona (US$6.36), thus becoming the most expensive Big Mac ever sold in 2009, surpassing the price of Big Macs sold in Switzerland and Norway (US$5.75). On 1 November 2009, Lyst Hr. reopened all former McDonald’s branches in Iceland under the brand Metro. The new operation used locally sourced ingredients which were much cheaper than imported ingredients, and retained 90 employees who previously worked in McDonald’s prior to closure, while creating additional 15 job openings available to Icelanders. The last McDonald’s burger sold in Iceland is now preserved in a glass case, still looking remarkably fresh after more than a decade.
Bhutan: The Himalayan Kingdom That Chose Happiness Over Happy Meals
Bhutan, known as the “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” has managed to keep fast food giants at bay through a combination of cultural preservation and practical concerns. A government officer we spoke with confirmed that McDonald’s proposals were not approved in the past mainly due to health concerns. Bhutan also expects its citizens to protect local culture. In fact, the constitution includes this clause: “A Bhutanese citizen shall have the duty to preserve, protect and respect the environment, culture and heritage of the nation.” It seems a foreign fast-food chain whose bestsellers include oil-drenched fries and stacks of meat slathered in a mayo-based sauce isn’t well aligned. Macdonalds and western food chain has not yet conquered the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. World-leading food franchises like McDonald, KFC, Burger King, Subway, Starbucks and many other food supplies are substituted by local made food and snacks. The country measures Gross National Happiness instead of just Gross Domestic Product, and apparently Happy Meals don’t contribute to that equation.
North Korea: The Hermit Kingdom’s Anti-American Food Stance
Due to tense international relations between the United States and the totalitarian regime in North Korea, McDonald’s has never operated within the country, and it’s doubtful the company ever will. North Korea has said that it wouldn’t allow a so-called imperialist country to operate there. But here’s a twist that sounds like something out of a political comedy – After meeting then-President Donald Trump in 2018, Kim Jong Un seemed interested in allowing McDonald’s, or another American food chain, to open in North Korea as a show of good will, according to The Washington Post. The discussion never moved forward. In 2017, reporters shared photos of staff members of London’s North Korean embassy smuggling in food from the Golden Arches. Even the most isolated country in the world apparently has some people who crave a Big Mac – they just have to get it illegally.
Yemen: Where Survival Comes Before Fast Food
Yemen represents one of the most heartbreaking cases on this list, where the absence of fast food chains isn’t about political statements or cultural preservation – it’s about basic survival. Yemen gets 90% of its food from other countries, and as a violent war rages on there, 75% of the population needs humanitarian help procuring food. So, a luxury like McDonald’s just doesn’t fit. The infrastructure couldn’t support a McDonald’s either. Clean water and dependable electricity continue to be an issue. So, even if the citizens were welcoming of U.S. restaurant chains, it wouldn’t be feasible. Nearly half of the population (4.7 million people) in the Government of Yemen (GoY) controlled areas experienced high levels of acute food between July and September 2024, classified as IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse). This included 1.2 million people who experienced critical levels of food insecurity – IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) – characterized by large food gaps and high levels of acute malnutrition. When people are struggling to find any food at all, questions about burger preferences become pretty irrelevant.
Kazakhstan: The Post-Soviet Surprise That Lost Its Golden Arches
Kazakhstan’s relationship with McDonald’s took an unexpected turn that caught many by surprise. Similarly, McDonald’s left Kazakhstan in January of 2023, citing supply shortages (likely caused by trade restrictions against Russia). This wasn’t originally a ban – Kazakhstan had been happily hosting McDonald’s restaurants for years. But geopolitics has a way of messing with your lunch plans. The supply chain disruptions caused by the conflict in neighboring Russia and subsequent trade restrictions made it impossible for the chain to operate efficiently. McDonald’s left Kazakhstan in January of 2023, citing supply shortages (likely caused by trade restrictions against Russia). It’s a perfect example of how global politics can trickle down to affect something as simple as getting a Happy Meal. Kazakhstan didn’t choose to ban fast food – circumstances basically forced the decision upon them. Sometimes the real world has a way of making choices for you, whether you like it or not.
