McDonald's on a roll in France

MCDONALD'S French operations have become the US hamburger chain's fastest-growing in Europe despite the restaurant-wrecking activities of peasants' leader José Bové and other anti-globalisation protesters.

Sales at the French outlets, which employ 35,000 people, surged by 9.3% last year with a matching rise in profits. McDonald's France chairman Denis Hennequin said: 'The mad cow effect for McDonald's in France is over.'

Sales have not only overcome consumer fears of contaminated beef but also the alarm at globalisation, of which the fast-food company is seen as a universal emblem.

The French results are welcome news for the US parent, whose profits last year slumped 17% to $1.6bn (£1.14bn ) on sales of $14.9bn. 'If every country had gone like France, the group results would be very good,' said Hennequin.

He added that he recognised McDonald's was perceived as a symbol of globalisation, but said his company had made great efforts to ensure supplies were obtained locally and were of high quality. Since opening its first French restaurant 23 years ago, the company has built a network of outlets at a cost of e10bn (£6.2bn).