World's Largest McDonald's Set for London Olympics
The world's largest-ever McDonald's restaurant is reportedly being built in London's Olympic Park ahead of this year's Summer Games.
London's Olympic-sized McDonald's will be the size of half the length of a football field and host 2,000 employees, according to the U.K.'s Daily Mail. Also, the restaurant will be capable of seating 15,000 people.
The new and large restaurant will only being open during the 2012 Olympic games, which kick off in July.
McDonald's, the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, has been a longtime sponsor of the Olympics.
After getting its start in 1940, the multi-million dollar franchise has restaurants in 119 countries and serves around 68 million customers every day.
On Twitter, fans of the Golden Arches are sounding off about the largest restaurant being built in London. Many users find humor in the world's largest hamburger manufacturer supporting athleticism.
"Is it just me - I thought Athletes ate healthy food," posted Daily Travel. "World's largest McDonald's."
Additionally, British doctors have expressed concern over McDonald's sponsorship of the games and claim it could send the wrong message in a country with an increasing problem with obesity. McDonald's is the only vendor with rights to sell brand-name food at the games in London's Olympic Park.
"It's very sad that an event that celebrates the very best of athletic achievements should be sponsored by companies contributing to the obesity problem and unhealthy habits," Terence Stephenson, a spokesman for the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges told The Huffington Post.
In 1948, Richard and Maurice McDonald reorganized their business from a barbecue restaurant into a hamburger stand using production line principles. The company went on to see worldwide growth.
Today, McDonald's primarily sells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, and french fries, among other popular favorites. The company recently expanded their menu to include healthier choices to meet today's trends, and added items such as salads, wraps, and smoothies.
