I was just blown away by that article. Never, never in a million years would I have guessed that.

But almost everything else does, according to Hennequin, who started his McCareer 21 years ago as a branch manager in Paris. His strategy has been to stay true to McDonald's American roots while making the products and entire experience more localized. That focus is evident in everything from management and staffing to menus. If you don't fancy a Big Mac in the branch at the Piazza di Spagna in Rome, you can order pasta freshly cooked to order. In France, McDonald's serves wine and runs an annual promotion called Le Saga du Fromage, where instead of the usual cheddar, burgers are topped with beloved French cheeses such as Reblochon. The concept has now been rolled out across Europe and Latin America.