McDonald's at London Olympics

McDonald's contract with the London Olympics guarantees that no other restaurant can sell french fries at the games

Published July 12, 2012 2:02PM (EDT)

         (AP/Richard Drew)
(AP/Richard Drew)

This article originally appeared on GlobalPost.

The London Olympics athletic competitions haven't started yet, but the corporate competition has already begun -- and America is winning. McDonald's is the only restaurant allowed to sell french fries at the London Olympics, the Guardian reported. In a deal with the International Olympic Committee, McDonald's has the sole rights to sell french fries to Olympics spectators.

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But what about Fish 'n' Chips, aka french fries and fried fish, a staple of the British diet? That's still OK. McDonald's, apparently feeling a little generous, has decided to allow other caterers at the event to sell french fries, but the fries must be accompanied with fish. No one besides McDonald's can sell fries by themselves, the Guardian said.

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"The only loophole to this is if it is served with fish," an internal memo says, according to a picture posted on The Daily Telegraph.

McDonald's doesn't exactly need to monopolize french fries in order to stay in business. The restaurant is already the official restaurant sponsor of the London Olympics, USA Today reported. And the chain is currently working on its largest store ever in London. The chain is also expected to provide 10 percent of the meals at the games -- unless the people fight back with a french fry boycott.


By Amy Silverstein

Amy Silverstein is an award-winning author, public speaker, and magazine writer on women’s health issues and patient advocacy. Her well-received first book, "Sick Girl," was published in three languages, won a “Books for a Better Life Award,” and was a finalist for the Border’s Original Voices Award. 

MORE FROM Amy Silverstein


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