Richmond, British Columbia, became McDonald's first location outside the United States in 1967.
The restaurant opened in Richmond, a city near Vancouver, marking the beginning of McDonald's international expansion. Canada was a logical first overseas market because of its geographic proximity and close commercial ties with the United States.
The location is often described casually as being in Vancouver because Richmond is part of the same metropolitan area. However, the city named in the historical record is Richmond. Toronto and Montreal became important Canadian markets later, but neither was the first international location.
The Canadian opening established a pattern McDonald's would repeat worldwide: preserve recognizable core branding while adapting operations and menus to local markets. International growth eventually made the Golden Arches one of the most visible restaurant symbols across national borders.