Competition is a bit different in Turkey
Two fast food restaurants, two huge brands. McDonalds and Burger King. Statistics shows that McDonalds is much bigger than Burger King, but this situation is different in Turkey.
In 1986, McDonalds opened the first foreign fast food restaurant in Turkey and started the first franchising system. Burger King opened it’s first restaurant in the year 1995 and it’s not wrong to say that Burger King is more popular in Turkey at the moment.
In the year 2000, McDonalds had 131 restaurants in 25 cities, and Burger King had 100 restaurant in 22 cities. With these numbers, Burger King Turkey managed to be the fastest growing franchising company in the world.
Burger King kept the progress, McDonalds couldn’t use the advantage of being first. Burger King, opened their 300th restaurant in 2010 and Turkey was the second country after USA with 314 restaurants. Although McDondals entered Turkish Market 9 years before and although they are more popular than Burger King in most of the world, they still have about 180 stores in Turkey and they are far behind of Burger King.
As a Turkish citizen, I prefer Burger King. Why? Burgers are bigger, meat is tastier (they use grills which Turkish people love) and at the moment, it’s easier to reach Burger King since they have more restaurants.
If you ever go to Turkey, especialy Istanbul, just ask people’s preferences about Burger King and McDonalds. Here is the exact answer you will hear.
“Burger King’s Hamburgers, McDonalds’ fries”
Images taken from :
http://insomnium-blog.blogspot.ca/2011/12/mcdonalds-vs-burguer-king.html
http://fastfoodfasttimes.tumblr.com/post/1346663579/all-about-the-grill-marks
Bibliography:
“Burger King 300’uncu Restorani Acti, Turkiye’yi ‘dünya Lideri’ Yapacak.” Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ekonomi/14363301.asp>.
Turkiye’de McDonald’s. Web. 08 Oct. 2012.<http://www.mcdonalds.com.tr/turkiyede-mcdonalds_1_7>.
Ceylan, Emre, Mr. “Burger Savasi Kizisti.” Web. 08 Oct. 2012. <http://arsiv.ntvmsnbc.com/news/33946.asp>.