[DWPittelli]

Perhaps this is related to the Middle East boycott of American businesses. See this other excerpt from PRNewswire-FirstCall (emphasis mine). Does anyone know further details?

Restructuring Ownership in Four Countries and Closing Three Countries

McDonald's plans to restructure four international markets by transferring ownership to developmental licensees. Under the developmental license business structure, which McDonald's successfully employs in more than 25 markets around the world, the licensees will own the business, including the real estate interest. While the Company will no longer have any capital invested in the four restructured markets, it will receive a royalty based on a percentage of sales. McDonald's also plans to close operations in three small markets outside the U.S. These decisions were driven by the assessment that returns in these countries will continue to be below acceptable thresholds for the Company. Collectively, McDonald's operates 200 restaurants in these seven countries in the Middle East and Latin America.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

"McDonald's to Close 175 Restaurants"

Representitive Jerrold Nadler (D) of New York goes into total panic and eats one of his aids. He's calling for an immediate Chrysler style aid package to save McDonald's immediately.

[Snuffington]

Darn! Usually McDonald's just starts offering new items to boost profits, rather than downsizing to save cost. I was really looking forward to them rolling out "McSushi," or "Mc Rack of Lamb."

[YankeeReb]

I've seen a few reasons given by posters here for the decline in US sales, the food quality is going down, people are eating healthier etc etc, but there's another reason that's also contributing to the decline. When was the last time you went into a McDonaldalds and you actually understood what the cashier was saying? In turn, she actually understood you? I don't know about the rest of the country but in the NY, Southern New England area a trip to McDonalds is like a journey to the third world. You have to repeat yourself and speak slowly just to get your order, and half the time it's screwed up. Add to that the declining clenliness of the restaraunt, and it's no wonder people are starting to stay away.

[ArrogantBustard]

Excuse me? Restaurants? I thought a restaurant was a place to buy prepared food. What connection that has to a McDogBarf's eludes me...

[FITZ]

I wonder how many are opening in other places?

[BlazingArizona]

As I understand it, McDonalds is going to follow Silicon Valley's lead. Instead of going to a McDonalds location, you enter your order over the Internet to McDonalds new food factory in China - or to India, if you order the veggieburger. They will Fedex you your order by the next business day.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

If you're going to eat food that is this bad for you, it should at least taste good. McDonald's simply doesn't anymore.

The last time I got food there, the fries were so bad I just threw them out. (Their fries used to be one of their hallmarks.)