When it comes to American fast-food presence in countries with the most undemocratic governments, the Colonel beats out the Clown by a longshot.
KFC is about to open up its first location in Myanmar, which will be the 20th country ruled by an authoritarian regime where KFC has a presence.
According to a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, there are 51 countries in the world with authoritarian governments. Major fast-food chains like KFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Burger King have not shied away from many of those nations.
The Golden Arches is in 15 oppressive countries, according to the EIU. Of those, Belarus and Cuba are the only ones that do not also have a KFC. (Cuba only has one McDonald’s, and it’s in Guantanamo Bay.) On the other hand, the countries where there is a KFC and no McDonald’s are Nigeria, Angola, Swaziland, Yemen, Syria and (soon) Myanmar.
KFC is also on top when it comes to the total number of restaurants in countries under authoritarian regimes, leading McDonald’s 5,537 to 2,984.
We contacted KFC to ask them whether the type of government is a factor when they decide to go into a new country, and will update the story if we hear back.
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: 6 scientifically proven features men find attractive in women