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London - Restaurateurs have criticised McDonald’s likely status as the sole branded food outlet visible at the 2012 London Olympics, saying that the fast food chain "does not represent British values".
Worldwide Olympic partner McDonald’s is in talks with London's organisers to become the exclusive food brand at the Games, according to industry website Caterersearch. Coca-Cola already has exclusive rights to sell non-alcoholic drinks at Olympic venues.
Restaurant operators have criticised the potential move, arguing that food served at the London Olympics should reflect regional produce and the city’s ethnic diversity.
Iqbal Wahaab, a government advisor on race and employment, told Caterersearch that exclusive McDonald’s branding would be a “massive missed opportunity”. He added: “People will be coming from all over the world for the Games and for Britain’s culinary representation to be made exclusively by McDonald’s would be a massive missed opportunity on many fronts.”
A spokesman for McDonald’s defended the move saying that in previous Olympic Games "there have been other 'unbranded' products on sale" and that "no final decisions have been made for London 2012 yet.”"
Under the proposed deal, other food operators would only be able to sell their products in some Olympic sites if they removed labels or changed packaging. Restaurants and cafés present at existing sites would have to make way for official sponsors during the event.
Worldwide Olympic partner McDonald’s is in talks with London's organisers to become the exclusive food brand at the Games, according to industry website Caterersearch. Coca-Cola already has exclusive rights to sell non-alcoholic drinks at Olympic venues.
Restaurant operators have criticised the potential move, arguing that food served at the London Olympics should reflect regional produce and the city’s ethnic diversity.
Iqbal Wahaab, a government advisor on race and employment, told Caterersearch that exclusive McDonald’s branding would be a “massive missed opportunity”. He added: “People will be coming from all over the world for the Games and for Britain’s culinary representation to be made exclusively by McDonald’s would be a massive missed opportunity on many fronts.”
A spokesman for McDonald’s defended the move saying that in previous Olympic Games "there have been other 'unbranded' products on sale" and that "no final decisions have been made for London 2012 yet.”"
Under the proposed deal, other food operators would only be able to sell their products in some Olympic sites if they removed labels or changed packaging. Restaurants and cafés present at existing sites would have to make way for official sponsors during the event.
