Why The French Love American Fast Food

“CNBC went to Paris to find out” Someone really convinced their boss to let them to go Paris to eat McDonald’s 🤣 fair play

I hope CNBC is already preparing their video for "Why is France Experiencing an Obesity Crisis" and "Why is Diabetes Rising in France?" in a few years.

I swear they made them talk with the strongest french accent they could for the video

I remember taking French in high school around 1999-2000. My French teacher would share new headlines from France. I remember one if the biggest controversies was that French chefs wanted McDonalds and other American fast food chains to be banned in France because more French people were eating there instead of at traditional restaurants. The chefs were losing their s…t and demanding the government got involved.

As an American residing in Paris already 10+ years; the fast-food phenomenon is purely an economic choice of convenience. Fast-food is generally cheaper than French restaurants and they tend to provide non-stop service; whereas French restaurants may open later and close mid-day until dinner. Also due to declining spending power of students, the middle and working classes; many people are looking for something quick, cheap, filling and tasty just like in the US.

Hearing a French person say “I luv nuggets” does not sound like it belongs on this sacred timeline

I'm French, I grew up poor with a single mom and we never went to restaurants. Back then, we did go to some fast food places because it's more affordable. The prices in restaurants are just mental. Even now, as an adult with a high income, I'm still astonished by some prices and reticent to go to a restaurant. Over the years, fast food restaurants have improved in quality, especially McDonald's, while regular restaurants decreased in quality (a lot of places serve fake fresh food, it's microwaved frozen garbage most of the time) Fast food isn't that bad anyway. It's all about the quantity, not going too often, and most importantly avoiding sodas.

Makes sense considering the average French restaurant is open from 10 : 45 - 13 : 20 and only on rotating Thursdays

As an American living in France, the food quality at fast food chains are WAY better. One of the reasons the French manage to stay healthy though is because they eat in moderation. Even the largest sizes in France are often smaller than mediums in the US. People walk a lot. I'm often asked by French people if I ate fast food every day growing up, as that's the stereotype of Americans, versus the French will have fast food maybe once a week or less.

I’m old enough to remember when the French had a militant resistance to Americanized fast food. It’s crazy how so much has changed in so little time.

I was born and raised in France and moved to the US in 1991. At age 44 today in 2024, I can say for a fact that the French love American fast food. More and more of the chains that I exist in the US are opening up in France too. That video did a good job describing the growth.

Now France, please send us your labor rights and Unions.

As an Italian living in France, the reason why the French love American fast food is obvious. Historically, the alternatives to slow, expensive eating are scarce and low quality. Nowadays it's basically just kebab, "French tacos", terribly expensive under-filled baguettes, or American fast food. Obviously fast food was going to win! Without going very far (China or Japan would provide great examples), in Italy we've always had several cheap, tasty ways to get a quick meal. In Rome, you can easily find "pizza al taglio", supplìs, focaccerias etc. In other cities the list is just as long...

Whoever put the "s" in fat food was a genius........

I am French I cook myself every day twice a day (easier for me because im housewife), I loved fast food when I was a teenager but today I detach and around me I see the same phenomenon so this documentary surprises me, but Paris is a state in the state after all...

I remember eating at McDonalds in Antigua, Guatemala and it was THE BEST McD's experience I've ever had. Had its own courtyard with beautiful foliage and a water fountain at the center AND they still had the Big N Tasty!

I've noticed something interesting – American fast food franchises taste so much better overseas than they do in America! I've had the pleasure of trying them in different countries, and the flavors seem to be more authentic and delicious abroad. Has anyone else experienced this?

All those beautiful patisseries being replaced by jank

It’s just crazy the times we live in. 30 years ago if you told a French person they’d be obsessed with fast food they’d spit on you.

As a Frenchman it honestly sickens me to see how fast food (not only American) spread all over the country. To be honest in many cities 50% of restaurant sell either burgers, pizza, tacos or kebab…