From the Pyramids of Giza to the Great Wall of China, fast food giants like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Pizza Hut have established outlets in close proximity to some of the world's most famous landmarks, often sparking controversy among tourists and locals alike.
In Egypt, a Pizza Hut and KFC sit opposite the ancient Pyramid of Giza, offering diners a view of the millennia-old structure. In Prague, a McDonald's operates next to the Museum of Communism, creating an ironic juxtaposition of capitalist and communist symbols.
Rome's Pantheon once had a McDonald's in its square until 2011, while the Trevi Fountain still hosts one. In Peru, a McDonald's on Cusco's Plaza de Armas replaced its bright yellow 'M' with a brown one after protests to preserve the square's cultural identity.
Paris saw controversy when a McDonald's opened under the Louvre, the world's most visited museum, despite fears that burger smells would detract from the art. The French capital had previously rejected a plan for a McDonald's beneath the Eiffel Tower in 1993.
China's Great Wall of America also hosts a Starbucks at the Badaling section, opened in 2005. Meanwhile, a Starbucks in Beijing's Forbidden City was closed in 2007 after a petition with half a million signatures claimed it was eroding Chinese culture.
