The Best Fast Food You Can't Get Here
No matter where you go in the world, there is a good chance you can order a Big Mac, french fries, and a Coke at McDonald's. Whether you order the Big Mac meal in New York City, China, New Zealand, or France, it will appear exactly as you expected it to — the global standardization that McDonald's has achieved at its more than 33,500 locations in 119 countries is impressive. But, venture into a McDonald's outside the U.S. and you're bound to find something a bit different on the menu that you won't see in the U.S., like the Maharaja Mac (essentially a Big Mac in which the beef patties have been replaced by chicken) in India.
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Other American fast-food chains are right there with McDonald's. In 76 countries, you can order a Whopper from Burger King, whose worldwide locations serve more than 11 million people daily, and coffee drinkers can grab a Starbucks coffee in more than 50 countries.
America's fast-food franchises are arguably some of the most recognized international brands. While Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, and Starbucks serve some of the staples that have made them so popular in America in locations around the world, they also cater to the local tastes in the countries in which they are located.
For example, Burger King has a very similar menu all over the world, but you will also find the Spicy Tender King Sandwich in South Korea and the Premium Black Kuro Burger with squid ink-flavored ketchup in Japan.
Should you decide to step inside an American fast-food chain the next time you are abroad, take a closer look at the menu — what you find may just surprise you and your taste buds.
Follow Ryan Glasspiegel Twitter @SportsRapport and find his daily writing at SportsRapport.com.