Generally speaking, you would struggle not to find a McDonald’s regardless of where you are in the world.
But one of the strangest locations for the famous golden arch can actually be found in Cuba – even though no Cubans actually go there for a Big Mac. That is because it is positioned in Guantanamo Bay, where America still assumes territorial control, opening way back in 1986.
And unlike most of the chain’s restaurants, this one is parked beside an infamous detention camp. Only the base’s personnel can dine on the fast-food options.
With some of the world’s most dangerous alleged terrorists just a stones’ throw away, it is perhaps the last place you would expect to find a Maccies.
And even though a sizable Ronald McDonald greets customers who stroll by palm trees to access it, the fast-food restaurant is also surrounded by barbed wire.
The chain has previously said that it has no plans to open other branches in Cuba, meaning it could remain the only one for more decades to come.
It has been described by Philip Johnson of New York University as being a “site of comfort and nostalgia” for people stationed there.
And a newsletter written in 2002 read: “McDonald’s: the name alone is synonymous with the fast food industry, and the legendary tastes of the various delights served here are all seasoned with years of tradition.”
It has become a talking point on social media in more recent times and one influencer, a coastguard called Sarah, took to TikTok last year to review it.
She told her followers: “Rumor has it that the McDonald’s in Guantanamo Bay Cuba is the best so I am in Guantanamo Bay Cuba – and we are going to try the McDonalds.”
She claimed the wings were “fire” and a “ten out of ten” before saying the crispy chicken sandwich was “so much better than in the United States”.
One person replied: “Is this for Americans only or can local Cubans buy it too.” Another said: “Wait what??? Cuba has a McDonald’s.”
The United States has occupied the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base since helping to expel the Spanish in 1889.
Interestingly, and perhaps controversially, the base is outside both Cuban laws and even some US laws and it is used by US military personnel, base staff, and some authorised foreign visitors, as reported in elEconomista.
Being a socialist country, a big capitalist company like McDonald’s would not be suitable for Cuba, but in Guantanamo Bay, other chains like Subway, KFC and Taco Bell have followed in the giant footsteps of Ronald McDonald by opening branches there.
There is also a Starbucks coffee shop along with a KFC and a Pizza Hut Express and profits from these companies reportedly “support activities for US military personnel, service members, and their families concerning morale, welfare and recreation”.
A notable part of the history of Guantanamo Bay can be traced back to 1903 when a treaty meant that Cuba leased it to America – and in return the US recognised Cuba’s national sovereignty.
However, in today’s world, the beautiful Caribbean country does not recognise the validity of this treaty, and they consider it to be an occupied territory.
Despite this conflict, Americans remain stationed there, and famously, many alleged terrorists were placed there after 9/11 where the lack of laws allowed them to be imprisoned without being tried in a court of law.