The Three McDonald’s Restaurants In Iceland Gone.
McDonald’s Europe has announced plans to close its three restaurants in Reykjavik, Iceland, citing the country’s ongoing economic troubles and high importing costs as the cause.
The restaurant franchises, operated by Jon Ogmundsson, will close on 31 October 2009 – 15 years after Iceland opened its first McDonald’s restaurant.
Mr Ogmundsson said the decision had not been taken lightly, but because of the unreasonable operating costs which they abide by. The restaurants import ingredients from Germany, and with the falling krona, imports have been made prohibitively expensive.
He said: “It makes no sense. For a kilo of onion, imported from Germany, I’m paying the equivalent of a bottle of good whiskey.”
According to reports, meal prices would have to rise by 20% in order to make the restaurants financially viable.
Mr Ogmundsson plans to reopen the restaurants under another name using purely Icelandic goods.
Unfortunately, Iceland isn’t a great place for cows and produce. Maybe they’ll start a whale burger franchise?
I can’t say I’ve heard of McDonald’s ever closing shop due to financial hardship.
Read more on how Iceland collapsed.. and how they’ve turned to women to save them.
A look into the future of socialist nations.
photo credit: smithysteads
