1990s
McDonald's entered Israel in 1993. The first branch was at the Ayalon Mall in Ramat Gan.[9] In the wake of a controversy over importing French fries to Israel, the American fast food chain decided to manufacture frozen French fries in Israel at a cost of $5 million US.[10]
In 1994, the Golani Interchange 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.[11][12]
In 1997, McDonald's Israel opened its first branch in an Israeli Arab city. The restaurant was in Tamra, 27 km northeast of Nazareth, and the menu was bilingual, in Hebrew and Arabic.[13]
In 1998, McDonald's Israel began to barbecue hamburgers on charcoal instead of frying them.[2] This represented a shift in McDonald's policy, which previously required uniformity at all its locations. In the wake of this decision, grilling equipment was installed at the restaurants, and the size of the patty and bun were increased.[2]
2000s
In 2004, the company was criticized for ordering its Arabic and Russian-speaking staff to speak only Hebrew during work hours. Their motivation behind this decision was to "prevent uncomfortable situations for workers and clients who mostly speak Hebrew,"[14] but the order was subsequently withdrawn.[15]
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.[8][16]
2010s
McDonald's Israel, in June 2013, turned down an offer to open a restaurant in Ariel in June 2013, citing its declared policy not to open any branches in West Bank settlements across the Green Line.[17]
In 2015, McDonald's Israel introduced the mobile application McApp, which enabled customers to order on line and pick up their order when ready.[2]
In January 2017, McDonald's Israel introduced McTouch stands to their restaurants, which enable customers to order meals without standing in line. The McTouch offers the 'My Mac' option, allowing customers to create their own hamburgers with their preferences and favorites, choosing from various dressings and extra components such as guacamole and fried onion rings.[2][18]
In 2017, McDonald's Israel's McRoyal hamburger was chosen by Channel 10's "Osot Cheshbon" (translated: Making The Bill) program as "The Most Outstanding & Healthiest Hamburger in Israel", following laboratory exam.[19]
2020s
On April 4, 2024, McDonald's Corporation announced that it would purchase the franchise owner Alonyal, which would make the Israeli McDonald's franchise corporate-owned, pending regulatory approval. The announcement was after a boycott was called due to the franchise offering free meals to the Israel Defense Forces during the Gaza war.[3][20][4]
