Urge McDonald's to reopen in Sri Lanka
The Issue
Bring McDonald's Back to Sri Lanka
Think back to your childhood. The excitement of a Happy Meal and guessing which toy was inside. Birthday parties with paper crowns and too many fries. Stopping by after tuition with friends, or after a long day out with family. For more than 25 years, McDonald's was part of growing up in Sri Lanka.
Then in 2024, every outlet closed overnight. Not because Sri Lankans stopped going, but because of a dispute between McDonald's and its local franchise partner. The restaurants were full right up until the doors shut. The demand never went away. Only the partner did.
And what we lost was more than a place to eat.
Jobs for young Sri Lankans. For many young people, McDonald's was their first job. It taught teamwork, customer service and discipline under pressure, skills that follow you into every career after. Every outlet that closed took those opportunities with it.
Business for local suppliers. McDonald's restaurants rely on local farmers, bakeries, packaging firms, logistics and maintenance companies. Bringing them back means steady contracts for Sri Lankan businesses, not just for the restaurants themselves.
A signal to the world. Sri Lanka is working hard to rebuild confidence after the economic crisis. When one of the world's most recognised brands leaves, investors notice. When it comes back, they notice that too. A McDonald's return would tell global companies that Sri Lanka is open, stable and worth investing in.
This is a fixable problem. McDonald's didn't leave because the market failed. It left because a partnership failed. All it takes to return is a new franchise partner, and Sri Lanka has plenty of capable businesses ready for that.
We are asking McDonald's Corporation to appoint a new franchise partner in Sri Lanka and reopen its restaurants here.
If you grew up with McDonald's, if you want your kids to have the same memories, or if you simply believe Sri Lanka deserves more global investment, add your name. Then share it with one person who remembers their first Happy Meal.
Every signature shows McDonald's what it is missing.
17
The Issue
Bring McDonald's Back to Sri Lanka
Think back to your childhood. The excitement of a Happy Meal and guessing which toy was inside. Birthday parties with paper crowns and too many fries. Stopping by after tuition with friends, or after a long day out with family. For more than 25 years, McDonald's was part of growing up in Sri Lanka.
Then in 2024, every outlet closed overnight. Not because Sri Lankans stopped going, but because of a dispute between McDonald's and its local franchise partner. The restaurants were full right up until the doors shut. The demand never went away. Only the partner did.
And what we lost was more than a place to eat.
Jobs for young Sri Lankans. For many young people, McDonald's was their first job. It taught teamwork, customer service and discipline under pressure, skills that follow you into every career after. Every outlet that closed took those opportunities with it.
Business for local suppliers. McDonald's restaurants rely on local farmers, bakeries, packaging firms, logistics and maintenance companies. Bringing them back means steady contracts for Sri Lankan businesses, not just for the restaurants themselves.
A signal to the world. Sri Lanka is working hard to rebuild confidence after the economic crisis. When one of the world's most recognised brands leaves, investors notice. When it comes back, they notice that too. A McDonald's return would tell global companies that Sri Lanka is open, stable and worth investing in.
This is a fixable problem. McDonald's didn't leave because the market failed. It left because a partnership failed. All it takes to return is a new franchise partner, and Sri Lanka has plenty of capable businesses ready for that.
We are asking McDonald's Corporation to appoint a new franchise partner in Sri Lanka and reopen its restaurants here.
If you grew up with McDonald's, if you want your kids to have the same memories, or if you simply believe Sri Lanka deserves more global investment, add your name. Then share it with one person who remembers their first Happy Meal.
Every signature shows McDonald's what it is missing.
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Petition created on 6 October 2026