McDonald's Israel
Encyclopedia
McDonald's Israel is the Israel
i branch of the fast food restaurant
chain McDonald's
. Operated and licensed by Alonyal Limited , McDonald's Israel is the largest of Israel's burger chains with a 60% market share. The company sells hamburger
s, chicken nuggets, french fries and soft drink
s in branches across the country. Since its opening in Israel in 1993, McDonald's Israel has been in competition with Burger Ranch, Israel's second large burger chain. The world's first kosher McDonald's opened in Mevasseret Zion in October 1995.
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. 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.
In 1994, the Golani Junction
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.
In 1997, McDonald's Israel opened its first branch in an Israeli Arab city. The restaurant was in Tamra
, 27 kilometres (16.8 mi) northeast of Nazareth
, and the menu was bilingual, in Hebrew and Arabic.
In 1998, McDonald's Israel decided to barbecue hamburgers on charcoal instead of frying. 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.
and Golan Heights. The CEO, Dr. Omri Padan, is a founder of Peace Now. In 2004, McDonald's Israel was criticized for ordering its Arabic and Russian-speaking staff to speak only in Hebrew during work hours to "prevent uncomfortable situations for workers and clients who mostly speak Hebrew," but the order was subsequently withdrawn.
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. This redesign is the most radical departure from McDonald's standard logo although they have made minor changed in places such as the Champs-Elysées
(which requires signs in gold) and Hampstead
to meet local regulations.
Since its inception, McDonald's Israel is owned and run by Israeli businessman Omri Padan. Padan is President of Alonyal Limited which is local licensee for McDonald's.
Currently McDonald's has 160 restaurants in Israel, with 36 of them under Kosher supervision (on January 2011), meaning they are closed on Shabbat
and Jewish holidays, have no dairy products (such as cheeseburgers), and for Passover
serve the meat on Passover buns. In Israel most branches are non-kosher since they serve cheeseburgers (which are non-kosher, i.e. do not conform to traditional Jewish dietary law) and they serve milk-based desserts (ice cream, milkshakes). The kosher branches do not serve either, though some kosher branches do serve them, but in a separate booth, which allows separation of dairy and meat.
McDonald's Israel sources over 80% of its ingredients locally, which 100% kosher beef patties, potatoes, lettuce, buns, and milkshake mix in addition to directly employing 3000 Israelis.
and Jewish holidays, in addition to serving dairy products. A kosher McDonald's was also opened in Argentina
, at the Abasto de Buenos Aires
shopping mall. Argentina and Israel are the only branches in the world that barbecue their burgers on charcoal.
to charities which benefit children such as Schneider Children's Hospital
, "Make A Wish Association", and "The Fighting Cancer Association." In 2000, McDonald's Israel participated in the global children's recognition program, McDonald's/Disney Millennium Dreamers, which celebrated 2000 children from around the world for their achievements. Six children represented Israel at a global youth summit in Orlando, Florida
, USA.
McDonald's Israel also has its own "McSmile Program," which sponsors trips for children recovering from cancer.
is served in lafa
and McKebab
is served on pita
. Israeli salad
was added to the menu in 2007. In January 2011, McDonald's Israel introduce McFalafel
in all its restaurants.
As in Arab and Muslim countries, McDonald's restaurants in Israel do not serve pork
products. However, they have been criticized by Jewish religious leaders for serving cheeseburgers and employing Jewish workers on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i branch of the fast food restaurant
Fast food restaurant
A fast food restaurant, also known as a Quick Service Restaurant or QSR within the industry itself, is a specific type of restaurant characterized both by its fast food cuisine and by minimal table service...
chain McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
. Operated and licensed by Alonyal Limited , McDonald's Israel is the largest of Israel's burger chains with a 60% market share. The company sells hamburger
Hamburger
A hamburger is a sandwich consisting of a cooked patty of ground meat usually placed inside a sliced bread roll...
s, chicken nuggets, french fries and soft drink
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
s in branches across the country. Since its opening in Israel in 1993, McDonald's Israel has been in competition with Burger Ranch, Israel's second large burger chain. The world's first kosher McDonald's opened in Mevasseret Zion in October 1995.
History
Arab League boycott of Israel
The Arab League boycott of Israel is a systematic effort by Arab League member states to isolate Israel economically to prevent Arab states and discourage non-Arabs from providing support to Israel and adding to Israel's economic and military strength...
, McDonald's did not open in Israel until 1993. The first branch was at the Ayalon Mall
Ayalon Mall
Ayalon Mall is a mall in Ramat Gan, Israel. Opened in 1986, Ayalon Mall was the first mall in Israel to have a large shopping complex outside the city centre with a parking lot surrounding it...
in Ramat Gan. 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.
In 1994, the Golani Junction
Golani Junction
Golani Junction , known as Maskana Junction in Arabic, is a key road junction in the Lower Galilee region of northern Israel, located east of Haifa and west of Tiberias, at the intersection of highways 65 and 77. The Golani Brigade Museum commemorating the Golani Brigade is situated there...
branch aroused controversy when the restaurant installed a large 'golden arches' sign in front of the Golani Brigade
Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade is an Israeli infantry brigade that is subordinated to the 36th Division and traditionally associated with the Northern Command. Its symbol is a green tree on a yellow background, and its soldiers wear a brown beret. It is one of the most highly decorated infantry units in the...
museum and memorial. Bereaved families and other citizens claimed this desecrated the site. The sign was later reduced in size.
In 1997, McDonald's Israel opened its first branch in an Israeli Arab city. The restaurant was in Tamra
Tamra
Tamra is an Israeli Arab city in the North District of Israel located in the Lower Galilee north of the city of Shefa-'Amr and approximately east of Akko . The name Tamra means date palm in Arabic...
, 27 kilometres (16.8 mi) northeast of Nazareth
Nazareth
Nazareth is the largest city in the North District of Israel. Known as "the Arab capital of Israel," the population is made up predominantly of Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel...
, and the menu was bilingual, in Hebrew and Arabic.
In 1998, McDonald's Israel decided to barbecue hamburgers on charcoal instead of frying. 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.
Controversy
McDonald's Israel has refused to open restaurants in the West BankWest Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
and Golan Heights. The CEO, Dr. Omri Padan, is a founder of Peace Now. In 2004, McDonald's Israel was criticized for ordering its Arabic and Russian-speaking staff to speak only in Hebrew during work hours to "prevent uncomfortable situations for workers and clients who mostly speak Hebrew," but the order was subsequently withdrawn.
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. This redesign is the most radical departure from McDonald's standard logo although they have made minor changed in places such as the Champs-Elysées
Champs-Élysées
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a prestigious avenue in Paris, France. With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is one of the most famous streets and one of the most expensive strip of real estate in the world. The name is...
(which requires signs in gold) and Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
to meet local regulations.
Since its inception, McDonald's Israel is owned and run by Israeli businessman Omri Padan. Padan is President of Alonyal Limited which is local licensee for McDonald's.
Currently McDonald's has 160 restaurants in Israel, with 36 of them under Kosher supervision (on January 2011), meaning they are closed on Shabbat
Shabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
and Jewish holidays, have no dairy products (such as cheeseburgers), and for Passover
Passover
Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival. It commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt...
serve the meat on Passover buns. In Israel most branches are non-kosher since they serve cheeseburgers (which are non-kosher, i.e. do not conform to traditional Jewish dietary law) and they serve milk-based desserts (ice cream, milkshakes). The kosher branches do not serve either, though some kosher branches do serve them, but in a separate booth, which allows separation of dairy and meat.
McDonald's Israel sources over 80% of its ingredients locally, which 100% kosher beef patties, potatoes, lettuce, buns, and milkshake mix in addition to directly employing 3000 Israelis.
Kashrut
While McDonald's operates several Kosher and non-Kosher restaurants, all the meat served in the restaurants is 100% Kosher beef. The difference is that the non-Kosher branches open on ShabbatShabbat
Shabbat is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after when one would expect to be able to see three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from...
and Jewish holidays, in addition to serving dairy products. A kosher McDonald's was also opened in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, at the Abasto de Buenos Aires
Abasto de Buenos Aires
The Abasto de Buenos Aires was the central wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 1893 to 1984. Since 1999, it has served as a shopping mall, Abasto Shopping. It is also famous for being in the area where the tango singer Carlos Gardel, known as El Morocho del Abasto...
shopping mall. Argentina and Israel are the only branches in the world that barbecue their burgers on charcoal.
Charities
Similar to McDonald's charitable efforts in the other countries they operate, McDonald's Israel has donated hundreds of thousands of NISIsraeli new sheqel
The Israeli New Shekel is the currency of the State of Israel. The shekel is divided into 100 agorot...
to charities which benefit children such as Schneider Children's Hospital
Rabin Medical Center
The Rabin Medical Center is a medical center in Petah Tikva, Israel. It is currently the second largest medical center in Israel after Sheba Medical Center, having lost the title of largest in 2006...
, "Make A Wish Association", and "The Fighting Cancer Association." In 2000, McDonald's Israel participated in the global children's recognition program, McDonald's/Disney Millennium Dreamers, which celebrated 2000 children from around the world for their achievements. Six children represented Israel at a global youth summit in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, USA.
McDonald's Israel also has its own "McSmile Program," which sponsors trips for children recovering from cancer.
Menu
The regular McDonald's menu has some additions catering to local tastes. McShawarmaShawarma
Shawarma is a Levantine Arab sandwich-like wrap of shaved lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, beef, or mixed meats. The meat is placed on a spit, and may be grilled for as long as a day. It is eaten with pita bread, tabbouleh, fattoush, taboon bread, tomato and cucumber. Toppings include tahini, hummus,...
is served in lafa
Taboon bread
Taboon bread ) is a flatbread wrap used in many cuisines. It is traditionally baked in a taboon oven and eaten with different fillings.Taboon bread is sold as street food, stuffed with hummus, falafel or shaved meat...
and McKebab
Kebab
Kebab is a wide variety of meat dishes originating in Middle East and later on adopted by the Middle East, and Asia Minor, and now found worldwide. In English, kebab with no qualification generally refers more specifically to shish kebab served on the skewer...
is served on pita
Pita
Pita or pitta is a round pocket bread widely consumed in many Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan cuisines. It is prevalent in Greece, the Balkans the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey. The "pocket" in pita bread is created by steam, which puffs up the dough...
. Israeli salad
Israeli salad
Israeli salad is a chopped salad of finely diced tomato and cucumber. "Distinguished by the tiny diced tomatoes and cucumbers," it is described as the "most well-known national dish of Israel."...
was added to the menu in 2007. In January 2011, McDonald's Israel introduce McFalafel
Falafel
Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas and/or fava beans. Falafel is usually served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as lafa. The falafel balls are topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces...
in all its restaurants.
As in Arab and Muslim countries, McDonald's restaurants in Israel do not serve pork
Pork
Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig , which is eaten in many countries. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC....
products. However, they have been criticized by Jewish religious leaders for serving cheeseburgers and employing Jewish workers on Saturdays, the Jewish Sabbath.