- Fast food outlet McDonald's has said it is planning almost
to double its outlets in China ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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- The burger chain has also agreed a fresh eight-year deal
to sponsor the games for an unrevealed sum.
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- "It's an investment we obviously think is worth
it for the long term," said McDonald's chairman Jim Cantalupo.
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- The company is currently trying to widen its global appeal
and target young people, its officials have said.
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- Young appeal
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- McDonald's is about to announce that it will sponsor
the 2006 winter games in Turin, Italy; the 2010 winter Games in Vancouver,
Canada; and the 2012 summer games, as well as the Olympics in Beijing.
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- In China, the outlet operates 580 restaurants but expects
that number to increase to 1,000 by the time the 2008 games open. It has
30,000 stores worldwide.
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- "This year we'll build more restaurants in China
than in any other country," McDonald's executive Charlie Bell said.
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- The company has signed up Chinese basketball star Yao
Ming of the Houston Rockets as an official spokesman.
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- He will participate in promotions tied to the Olympics,
executives said.
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- © BBC MMIV
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- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3488668.stm
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