McEmbassy: McDonald's Now Operating as 'Mini US Embassies' for Tourists in Austria
In what might be one of the most stereotypically American things to ever happen — all McDonald's in Austria will now operate as not only fast food restaurants, but mini US Embassies for tourists.
The new set-up was announced via the US Embassy Vienna's Facebook. It read: "American citizens traveling in Austria who find themselves in distress and without a way to contact the U.S. Embassy can enter – as of Wednesday, May 15, 2019 – any McDonald's in Austria, and staff will assist them in making contact with the U.S. Embassy for consular services (e.g. report a lost or stolen passport, or seek travel assistance)."
The post also featured a photo of Trevor Traina, the United States Ambassador to Austria, and Isabelle Kuster, the managing director of McDonald's Austria, shaking hands over the signed agreement and, of course, a McCafe.
McDonald's spokesperson Wilhelm Baldia said to the Independent UK that the Consulate chose the ubiquitous fast-food chain because of the "brand's great fame among Americans." Predictably, people on social media were not exactly lovin' it:
Or, at least, were able to see some humor in the situation:
Insulted? Well, think of it this way — with 179 locations, not including the 143 McCafé outlets, spread throughout Austria, the McEmbassy (that's what we're calling it now, sorry, I don't make the rules) might be helpful to US tourists in need of help. Although not able to issue passports, Baldia confirmed that each restaurant will have staff trained to help US citizens contact the embassy around the clock.
