McDonald’s made a brief but impactful return to Iceland after a 16-year absence. The pop-up event took place at DÆINN Kaffihús & Vínbar in Garðabær, attracting hundreds of eager visitors looking to relive the fast-food experience that had been unavailable in Iceland since 2009.
An idea of the YouTuber Sindri Leví Ingason
The mastermind behind this unique event was Icelandic YouTuber Sindri Leví Ingason, who personally traveled to London, purchased suitcases full of McDonald’s items, and distributed 100 Happy Meals to passersby. His goal was twofold: to create engaging content for his YouTube channel and to highlight Icelanders’ ongoing interest in McDonald’s.
“I want McDonald’s to come back to Iceland. That would be amazing,” said Sindri Leví. “I’m not crazy about McDonald’s, but I just wanted to make a good video. I thought it was a great idea.”
Regulatory challenges
Bringing McDonald’s back, even for a day, was no easy feat. Sindri encountered import restrictions that prevented him from bringing McDonald’s meat products into Iceland. As a result, while the buns, toppings, and fries were authentic McDonald’s items, the burgers had to be sourced locally.
Despite these hurdles, the event was a success, drawing an estimated 300 visitors throughout the day. The location was humorously named Feik McDonald’s, a nod to the fact that it wasn’t an official McDonald’s franchise.
Icelanders’ enthusiastic response
The event attracted not only fast-food fans but also curious onlookers who wanted to witness the spectacle. The last McDonald’s burger sold in Iceland in 2009 was even put on display, serving as a reminder of the brand’s history in the country.
Reactions from attendees were mixed, but many expressed nostalgia and excitement. One visitor, Eva María Friðbergsdóttir, stated:
“McDonald’s is my favorite restaurant, and I miss that it’s not in Iceland.”
Another attendee, Hugrún Birna Gunnarsdóttir, added, “I think it would be really fun to have McDonald’s in Iceland.”
Will McDonald’s return to Iceland?
While this pop-up was only a one-day event, it has reignited discussions about McDonald’s possible return to Iceland. Sindri Leví’s stunt proved that there is still significant interest in the brand, but as of now, there are no official plans for McDonald’s to reopen in the country.
For now, Icelanders will have to continue traveling abroad to get their McDonald’s fix, unless another creative entrepreneur finds a way to bring back the golden arches—if only for a day.
