Canada became home to McDonald’s first restaurant outside the United States in 1967.
The restaurant opened in Richmond, British Columbia, marking McDonald’s first step into international markets. Its launch established Canada as the chain’s first country outside its American home market and began a long-running cross-border expansion.
This milestone is sometimes confused with McDonald’s first overseas restaurant in Europe or its first location in a particular major city. Those openings happened later. Canada was the earliest international market, helped by its geographic proximity to the United States and similarities in consumer culture.
McDonald’s international growth eventually became a major part of its brand identity. Restaurants around the world retained recognizable elements such as the Golden Arches and standardized service, while menus and promotions could be adapted to local tastes. The Canadian opening therefore represents both the beginning of McDonald’s global reach and the start of its balance between consistent branding and regional variation.