Tim Blair

So now they are cheese-burger-eating-surrender-monkeys.

Could be the Frog Frape's, or maybe the Snail Shakes? What do they call French Fries? Imperialist Cochon'-Chein Chips?

What's so beautiful about this news is that the only way for McDonald's to expand is by people buying their product. Despite anti-globalization delusions to the contrary, the French must be buying Big Macs for them to increase supply. As an American (who avoids fast food unless on long road trips), this is hilarious news that runs contrary to the anti-American moves of their govenment.

They probably appreciate the friendly service - different from the surly, arrogant, rude, lack of it they're used to in their own restaurants.

HA HA HA air conditioned...brutal man, absolutely brutal.

You know, over there instead of a Coke or whatever with your Happy Meal, you can have a beer instead. Costs the same.

Why not here?

As an Aussie living in Europe, I suggest that the real reason may be that its one of the few places you can find a decent toilet in France!!

You will be needing that toilet-thing to be putting the ex-beer into.

Sacre bleu! Le culture francais est defilee! Maintenant, tout le monde prendra un hamburger avec le lot au weekend!

The McDonald's Franchise may be American (more international now) But they use local ingredients.

2 all beef(non GM grain fed) patties,(or soy substitute) special sauce, (wilted heatwave damaged non GM )Lettuce, (rancid)Cheese, (non-GM)shriveled tomatoes, (non GM) onions, (non GM) pickles on a Moldy french bread bun.

Yummy

Sevice with a cuss

I like the beer Idea though, I can see myself pulling into the drive-thru, "can I have a beer with that"? "would you like that super sized?"

"hell ya!"

Do the McDonalds in France remain open throughout the day, and do the remaining restaurants in France continue the longstanding tradition of only opening their doors for lunch hour and dinner hour? If so, that would probably explain its popularity.

Unsurprisingly, BiG, the food at McDonald's in France is the same quality as McDonald's food anywhere, although the portions are smaller. And it's not service with a cuss. You're mixing up McDonald's with all those other restaurants you've gone to in Paris. The folks at McDonald's are perfectly friendly.

Sean, McDonalds in France do remain open throughout the day, and regular restaurants are open only for lunch and dinner. So you have a good point. But it's not as if McDonald's is your only choice at 4 pm--cafés and brasseries are open all day. Plus MacDo is packed at lunchtime. So there's something more to it. I think Tim's right--it must be the air conditioning...

Hrm, perhaps it's the fact that McD's serves their drinks cold?

You know how crazy us Americans are about our cold drinks with ice! Then again, we don't fall over dead in droves when the temperature spikes.. coincidence?

One reason the McDonalds are packed there (and they are) is because everyone uses EFTPOS to purchase meals. It takes forever to get served.