McDonald's Israel

A McDonald's in Ashkelon, Israel (2007)

Due to the Arab League boycott of Israel, McDonald's did not open in Israel until 1993. The first branch was at the Ayalon Mall in Ramat Gan.[6] In the wake of a controversy over importing French fries to Israel, the American fast food chain built a plant to manufacture frozen French fries in Israel at a cost of $5 million US.[7]

In 1994, the Golani Interchange branch aroused controversy when the restaurant installed a large 'golden arches' sign in front of the Golani Brigade museum and memorial. Bereaved families and other citizens claimed this desecrated the site. The sign was later reduced in size.[8][9]

In 1997, McDonald's Israel opened its first branch in an Israeli Arab city. The restaurant was in Tamra, 27 kilometers (17 mi) northeast of Nazareth, and the menu was bilingual, in Hebrew and Arabic.[10]

In 1998, McDonald's Israel decided to barbecue hamburgers on charcoal instead of frying.[1] This represented a shift in McDonald's policy, which previously required uniformity at all the locations. In the wake of this decision, grilling equipment was installed at the restaurants, and the size of the patty and bun were increased.[1]

McDonald's sign in the middle of a desert near the Dead Sea.

In 2004, the company was criticized for ordering its Arabic and Russian-speaking staff to speak only Hebrew during work hours, to "prevent uncomfortable situations for workers and clients who mostly speak Hebrew,"[11] but the order was subsequently withdrawn.[12]

In 2006, the international chain's trademark yellow and red signs were replaced at two branches in Tel Aviv with blue and white signs with the Hebrew word "kosher" in order to avoid confusion over which branches were kosher.[5][13] This redesign is the most radical departure from McDonald's standard logo although they have made minor changes in places such as the Champs-Elysées (which requires signs in gold) and Hampstead to meet local regulations.[5][13]

McDonald's Israel, in June 2013, turned down an offer to open a restaurant in Ariel in June 2013, citing its declared policy not to open any branches in West Bank settlements across the Green Line.[14]

In 2015, McDonald's Israel developed the McApp that enables customers to order on line and pick up their order when ready.[1]

In January 2017, McDonald's Israel introduced McTouch stands, which are positioned in certain restaurants giving the customers the ability to order their meals for themselves without having to stand in line to order. The McTouch offers the 'My Mac' option, allowing customers to create their own hamburgers with their preferences and favorites, choosing from various dressings and extra components such as guacamole and fried onion rings.[1][15]

In 2017, McDonald's Israel's McRoyal hamburger was chosen by Channel 10's "Osot Cheshbon" program as "The Most Outstanding & Healthiest Hamburger in Israel", following laboratory exam.[16]