It’s raining anniversaries in Hong Kong right now, with big milestone years either starting or coming to a close for the likes of Cathay Pacific (80 years), the Hong Kong Sevens (50 years), Hong Kong Disney (20 years) and the Ngong Ping Cable Car (20 years).
McDonald’s is another – the famous American burger chain has just wrapped up its 50-year anniversary in Hong Kong with a special float appearing in the Chinese New Year Parade in February. Here’s a look back at the HK timeline of “Mak Dong Lou” (or “Mak-Kee” / “M-Gei” for short!).
McDonald’s in HK
1975: McDonald’s Hong Kong opens its first restaurant on Paterson Street in Causeway Bay.
1976: To mark the launch of the first store in Kowloon (at Yaumatei’s Hang Shing Building), a giant Big Mac is carried across Victoria Harbour in a small sampan.
1978: The Golden Arches launches in the New Territories, opening in Tsuen Wan.
1981: On 18 October, Yue Man Square McDonald’s in Kwun Tong breaks the world daily transaction count for McDonald’s restaurants.
1984: McDonald’s Hong Kong becomes the first international market to introduce a full breakfast menu (Big Breakfast, Hotcakes, Hash Browns).
1987: HK’s first 24-hour McDonald’s opens, in Peking Road, TST.
1992: Seven out of the top 10 busiest McDonald’s Restaurants worldwide are found in Hong Kong.
1996: The 100th McDonald’s outlet opens in HK, in Siu Sai Wan.
2004: World Children’s Day at McDonald’s breaks the Guinness World Record for the most people jumping rope simultaneously. Asia’s first Ronald McDonald House opens in HK in the same year.
2009: 24-hour McDelivery service starts in HK.
2018: “Local Milk Tea” is introduced to the menu.
2022: Wooden cutlery is introduced at all McDonald’s restaurants and McCafés here, reducing the use of 100 million plastic pieces per year.
2024: The McDonald’s App becomes available in Hong Kong, setting a record with one million downloads in six days.
This article first appeared in Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription, and also read the digital version for free now.
