McDonald’s first expanded outside the United States in 1967.
The company opened its first international restaurant in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Canada was a natural first step for international expansion because of its geographic proximity and close commercial ties with the United States.
This opening began McDonald’s transformation from an American franchise operation into a global brand. The company later adapted aspects of its menu and marketing to local markets while retaining recognizable elements such as the arches, standardized restaurant format, and branded packaging.
The year is sometimes confused with McDonald’s entry into other major markets. The first restaurants in countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom opened later, so 1967 specifically identifies the company’s first international expansion.