McDonalds is just about everywhere, including Switzerland and Belgium, yet it’s not the quite same. In Switzerland, the featured menu item was the McRaclette, a large burger by American McDonald’s standards, with a round beef patty and a square bun. It came with pickles, sauce, and of course, a plenty of raclette cheese. A delicious burger, but by my wallet, not a great bargain. The Swiss franc is currently worth about 98 cents, and the burger alone 
came to 7.10 in francs. In Belgium, the big feature was the new “M” or McM burger. Made with a popular Belgian roll, the McM was also a large burger by McDonald’s standards and had a beef patty, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a tangy, white sauce. The economics being a little different in Belgium, the burger was €4.50 in Euros, which equates to $6.75 U.S. dollars.
came to 7.10 in francs. In Belgium, the big feature was the new “M” or McM burger. Made with a popular Belgian roll, the McM was also a large burger by McDonald’s standards and had a beef patty, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a tangy, white sauce. The economics being a little different in Belgium, the burger was €4.50 in Euros, which equates to $6.75 U.S. dollars.So, one might ask, why is the food more expensive than in the United States?
- Food is generally more expensive in Switzerland and Belgium
- Costs due to offshoring could play a part, since McDonalds is an American company
- In Switzerland and Belgium, McDonalds is not perceived as “fast food” like it is in the United States.
- McDonald’s food is quite arguably of better quality than that which is served in the United States. To add some validity to that, today I heard a native Indian talk of how he will not eat at McDonalds in the United States and he misses the McDonalds food that is served in India.
- Costs due to offshoring could play a part, since McDonalds is an American company
- In Switzerland and Belgium, McDonalds is not perceived as “fast food” like it is in the United States.
- McDonald’s food is quite arguably of better quality than that which is served in the United States. To add some validity to that, today I heard a native Indian talk of how he will not eat at McDonalds in the United States and he misses the McDonalds food that is served in India.
Despite having many twists depending on where in the world a particular McDonalds restaurant is located, the McDonalds I visited it carried some American qualities that are not always characteristic of restaurants in Switzerland and Belgium.
- Water was available at no extra cost
- Restrooms were available at no extra cost
- There was a play-place for kids
- Restrooms were available at no extra cost
- There was a play-place for kids
One might argue that I wasted my time going all the way to Switzerland and Belgium and ending up at a McDonalds. Even though I was visiting an American company, I ordered in French. I can say it was well worth the experience, and as you can see, it offers a lot of insight into the way things work throughout the world.
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