Bootleg American-Inspired Fast Food Pops Up In Iran: ‘Mash Donald’s’, ‘Pizza Hat’ And ‘Subways’

Due to political issues between the US and IRAN, sanctions were imposed on the Islamic Republic. For that, Iranians cannot enjoy American hamburgers or pizza served by American outlets, firstly due to the sanctions themselves that prevent American firms of doing business in Iran, and secondly due to some conservative Iranians standing against Americanisation.

Read the following articles:


Nov 2, 2013 05:17 PM By Lecia Bushak

Iranians enjoy greasy burgers and hearty burritos just as much as Americans do – so much so that they have started their own bootleg versions of popular fast food franchises, sporting names like “Mash Donald’s” and “Pizza Hat.”

Though McDonald’s pervades some 120 different countries, Iran is not one of them, leaving its citizens to improvise when it comes to fast food.

NPR reports that Holly Dagres, a Middle East analyst and commentator, has been gathering photos and information about the various bootleg fast food joints that have cropped up in Tehran – such as a rip-off on Chipotle, Baskin-Robbins, KFC, and Dominos Pizza. Mash Donald’s reportedly also serves hot dogs in baguette bread, according to Dagres. Raees Coffee, which is translated as “Boss” Coffee, has incorporated a strikingly similar Starbucks logo in its branding, and serves crepes along with coffee and desserts.

“I think Starbucks actually tried to sue Raees Coffee, but there was no success; and the same with KFC,” Dagres told NPR. “And they’ve done such a perfect job, in some circumstances, of emulating things. Baskin-Robbins and KFC look like the real deal. It’s kind of confusing.”

Perhaps most bizarre is the rip-off on Subway, found in the Motel Ghoo area by the Caspian Sea in northern Iran, which sports the same sandwich-making process as well as the “Eat Fresh” motto as its American counterpart, but features an exterior covered in scrambled letters.

Because U.S. sanctions ban American fast food companies from opening in Iran, restaurant owners are left to replicate as best they can the hamburgers, fries, pizza, sandwiches and fried chicken they enjoy. “If diplomatic relations were ever restored, would those faux franchises be in a difficult position?” NPR writes. Until they may have to face lawsuits in the future, these bootleg restaurants will stay open to provide Iranians with a chance to skip traditional meals for the occasional fast food they crave.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/bootleg-american-inspired-fast-food-pops-iran-mash-donalds-pizza-hat-and-subways-261790

Mash Donalds? Iranians Copy American Fast-Food Brands

NOVEMBER 02, 2013 5:35 AM ET

Iran may not love America politically, but Iranians love American food — especially fast food.

With no formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, though, it's rather hard to find a McDonald's or a Pizza Hut. But if you wander through the streets of Tehran, you might find a Pizza Hat or a Mash Donald's.

The rise of the "fake franchise" caught the attention of Iranian-American Holly Dagres, a Middle East analyst and commentator, who travels to Tehran often from her home in Cairo. She published a photo essay on BuzzFeed in October highlighting some of these eateries.

Dagres tells NPR's Scott Simon she has counted nine so far that look familiar: Baskin-Robbins, Chipotle, Domino's Pizza, KFC, Mash Donald's, Pizza Hat, Raees Coffee, Subway and Super Star.

Raees Coffee is actually a replica of Starbucks, and Super Star is inspired by Carl's Jr. in the U.S., she says.

But these stores have nothing to do with the American franchises.

"I think Starbucks actually tried to sue Raees Coffee, but there was no success; and the same with KFC," says Dagres. "And they've done such a perfect job, in some circumstances, of emulating things. Baskin-Robbins and KFC look like the real deal. It's kind of confusing."

At Baskin-Robbins, for example, Dagres says you have the 31 flavors, with the same cups and spoons. But the quality of ice cream might be better because, in fact, it's Italian gelato.

If diplomatic relations were ever restored, would those faux franchises be in a difficult position?

Dagres says there would be lawsuits. "They might have to shut down, but I think it would be sad for the owners of those companies," she says. "These are just individuals that came up with a bright idea and thought it would be great to emulate American franchises."

We had to ask Dagres where she'd take us for lunch if we were in Tehran today.

"Since you're American, I wouldn't take you to a bootleg franchise," she says. "I'd take you for some really good kebab. But if you were really craving something American, I would take you to Super Star. And the only reason I say that is because it was my high school hangout, and I love their chicken burger.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/11/02/242371622/mash-donalds-iranians-copy-american-fast-food-brands

Thirty-four years after protesters stormed and occupied the American embassy in Tehran, thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to rally against the United States. But where diplomacy fails, perhaps food can succeed in bringing both sides to the table – or the dinner table, at least. When the time comes to eat, it seems all is forgotten – as these surprising images from Tehran show.

The 1979 Iranian revolution was the nail in the coffin for American business ventures in Iran. But in the past few years, the names of various US fast-food chains and restaurants have sprung up across the Islamic Republic. Entrepreneurs aren’t hesitating to cash in on young people’s growing appetite for food from the land of plenty – by usurping the names of those same businesses that were banished more than three decades ago. The thorny diplomatic situation between the two countries leaves the brands’ American owners with no way of bringing their fake ‘counterparts’ to justice.

Baskin-Robbins

Founded in 1945 in California, Baskin-Robbins is one of America’s best-known ice cream chains. Despite the fact that the brand has no official presence in Iran, a shop in the capital still bears its name. There’s also an ice cream maker that uses its name and its logo – and even has its own website.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

The American restaurant chain – known primarily for its hot, spicy dishes – has set up shop in numerous countries… but not in Iran. Yet restaurants do exist that carry both the brand name and a logo that differs only slightly from the original. The founders of the fake Chipotle even have their own Facebook page: "Iranian Chipotle," garnished with photos of Iranian celebrities to boost publicity.

Domino’s Pizza

Domino’s is probably one of the most well-known pizza chains on the planet. The American outlet, headquartered in the US state of Michigan, caters to customers throughout the world – even, it would seem, in Iran. But this restaurant pictured below has nothing to do with the original Domino’s. What’s more, anyone who comes here craving a Domino’s pizza will probably leave disappointed – their menu is completely different from the original.

KFC

KFC is an American fast-food chain specialising in fried chicken, founded in 1930 in the state of Kentucky. Before the 1979 revolution, KFC owned several branches in Tehran, all of which have since closed. All that looked set to change a few years ago, when reports indicated that the brand famous for its logo of a smiling Colonel Sanders could be making a comeback. But it turned out to be a copy. The fake KFC had taken the both the name and logo of the American chain, but forgot to add one slight detail: Colonel Sanders’ bowtie.

Coca-Cola

Up until 1981, Coca-Cola Iran operated under the license of the ubiquitous American brand, whose ingredients it imported. Since then, the Iranian drinks maker has no longer had any links with the American firm. Although it has kept the logo, the Iranian company uses its own recipe to manufacture fizzy drinks.

McDonald’s

Like most other American companies, McDonald’s had no other choice but to leave Iran after the revolution. A little over a decade later, in the early 1990s, the company seemed to have got permission to restart its business ventures in the Islamic Republic. But the project came off the rails before even a single restaurant could open its doors, due to a hostile campaign led by newspapers and a fundamentalist attack carried out on the spot where the first outlet was due to open. Today, McDonald’s still can’t come back to Tehran. But in the meantime, there’s always ‘Mash Donald’