NEW YORK—Fast-food restaurant chain McDonald’s Corp. said on Wednesday that it would open 200 new store locations in China to expand its operations in the world’s most populous country.
In a corporate statement, McDonald’s said that it aims to grow its presence in China by 40 percent, with 200 new store openings, next year and up to 2,000 stores by 2013 in an effort to compete with KFC.
KFC, owned by Yum! Brands Inc., is currently the most popular Western fast-food chain in China with more than 3,500 locations.
McDonald’s is facing a class-action lawsuit from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), for allegedly marketing Happy Meal toys in an effort to encourage unhealthy eating.
“McDonald’s congratulates itself for meals that are hypothetically possible, though it knows very well that it’s mostly selling burgers or chicken nuggets, fries, and sodas to very young children,” said CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson in a statement.
The lawsuit is filed by CSPI on behalf of a mother of two in Sacramento, named Monet Parham. “I am concerned about the health of my children and feel that McDonald’s should be a very limited part of their diet and their childhood experience,” Parham said, in a release by CSPI.
In recent months, McDonald’s has cut down the images of fatty foods in its marketing and advertising of Happy Meals, by showing more images of apple slices, low-fat milk, and other healthier options such as water instead of soft drinks.
In a corporate statement, McDonald’s said that it aims to grow its presence in China by 40 percent, with 200 new store openings, next year and up to 2,000 stores by 2013 in an effort to compete with KFC.
KFC, owned by Yum! Brands Inc., is currently the most popular Western fast-food chain in China with more than 3,500 locations.
Faces Lawsuit Over Happy Meals
McDonald’s is facing a class-action lawsuit from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), for allegedly marketing Happy Meal toys in an effort to encourage unhealthy eating.
“McDonald’s congratulates itself for meals that are hypothetically possible, though it knows very well that it’s mostly selling burgers or chicken nuggets, fries, and sodas to very young children,” said CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson in a statement.
The lawsuit is filed by CSPI on behalf of a mother of two in Sacramento, named Monet Parham. “I am concerned about the health of my children and feel that McDonald’s should be a very limited part of their diet and their childhood experience,” Parham said, in a release by CSPI.
In recent months, McDonald’s has cut down the images of fatty foods in its marketing and advertising of Happy Meals, by showing more images of apple slices, low-fat milk, and other healthier options such as water instead of soft drinks.
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