Canada became the first country outside the United States to have a McDonald's restaurant, opening in Richmond, British Columbia, in 1967.
The Canadian opening marked the beginning of McDonald's international expansion. The restaurant was located near Vancouver, in the municipality of Richmond, and introduced the company's recognizable name, arches, menu presentation, and service model to a market beyond the United States.
Canada was a natural early expansion destination because of its geographic proximity and strong economic connections with the United States. McDonald's subsequently entered many other countries, adapting parts of its menu and operations while retaining core visual branding such as the Golden Arches.
The opening is sometimes confused with McDonald's first locations in other major international markets. Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom all received McDonald's restaurants later than Canada. The Canadian milestone therefore concerns the first foreign country, not the first restaurant outside North America.