{
  "id": 8716518,
  "title": "U.S.-China gastrodiplomacy: Despite political tension, fast food chains from both countries gain popularity in each other’s territory",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/u-s-china-gastrodiplomacy-despite-political-tension-fast-food-chains",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-20T15:19:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/09/20/us-china-gastrodiplomacy-political-tension-fast-food-chains-popularity-mixue-mcdonalds/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tensions between the United States and China persist in numerous areas, from trade disputes to territorial disputes over Taiwan. However, one area of mutual interest has emerged: fast food. American and Chinese fast-food chains are experiencing rapid expansion in each other's markets, creating a unique form of cultural exchange that experts refer to as \"gastrodiplomacy.\"\n\nChinese restaurant chains are flocking to the United States in search of growth opportunities, capitalizing on the vast Chinese population and the country's growing appetite for American fast food. At the same time, American chains are venturing into China, aiming to tap into the lucrative market with a population nearly four times that of the U.S. The result is a two-way flow of culinary influences and cultural exchange.\n\nAnalysts attribute this gastrodiplomacy trend to the unique position of fast food as a low-stakes, high-appeal entry point into unfamiliar culinary territories. Yaling Jiang, founder of ApertureChina, a market research firm, notes that American fast-food chains like Popeyes and Five Guys are viewed as indulgent treats in China, while Chinese brands like Mixue and Heytea are gradually gaining prominence among the American consumer base.\n\nDespite the political tensions, the popularity of American fast-food chains in China remains strong. KFC, for example, has become the largest foreign fast-food chain in China, with over 13,000 locations compared to the 3,750 outlets in the U.S. Similarly, McDonald's plans to open 1,000 new restaurants in China this year, bringing the total count to 10,000 by 2028. Chinese chains are also expanding their presence in the U.S., with Mixue opening its first three locations in New York and several other Chinese chains entering the market since 2023.\n\nAmerican fast-food companies are tailoring their menus to suit Chinese tastes, incorporating local ingredients and flavors into their signature dishes. KFC, for instance, offers french fries and Original Recipe chicken alongside traditional Chinese snacks like custardy egg tarts and congee. Chinese chains are also adapting their menus to cater to American palates, with Wallace, a Chinese fast-food chain, tweaking its chicken sandwich recipe to appeal to American diners.\n\nThe success of these chains is evident in their rapid growth. Mixue has plans to open at least 24 more locations across four U.S. states, while Heytea has established 40 outlets across the country. This trend highlights the potential of gastrodiplomacy as a means of fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two superpowers.",
  "summary": "Mixue, one of the world’s largest fast-food chains with more than 53,000 locations, opened its first three U.S. stores in December.",
  "key_points": [
    "U.S.-China fast food chains expanding in each other's markets",
    "American chains like KFC, McDonald's entering China",
    "Chinese chains like Mixue, Heytea expanding in U.S."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}