Which country became home to McDonald's first European restaurant in 1971?

The Netherlands became home to McDonald's first European restaurant in 1971.

The restaurant opened in Zaandam, near Amsterdam, on October 21, 1971. Its arrival extended McDonald's branding from North America into Europe, where the company adapted its operations while retaining its recognizable arches, restaurant design, and service format.

The Dutch opening followed McDonald's first international launch in Canada in 1967. It was therefore not the company's first restaurant outside the United States overall, but it was the first in Europe. Germany followed as another major European market in 1971.

The Netherlands is also associated with McDonald's European headquarters and long-term regional operations, making the country an important part of the brand's early European history.