McDonald’s operates and franchises outlets around the world. According to its Web site: “McDonald’s is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 33,500 local restaurants serving nearly 68 million people in 119 countries each day.” Eighty percent of its outlets are franchised. In India alone, Mcdonald’s operates more than 250 outlets.

In 2013, McDonald’s — in recognition of India’s huge vegetarian marketplace — will begin opening all-vegetarian outlets. As reported by Annie Gasparro and Julie Jargon for the Wall Street Journal: “Burger giant McDonald’s Corp. said it plans to open vegetarian-only restaurants in India next year — a worldwide first for the beef-centric fast-food chain. In India, McDonald’s restaurants have already dropped beef and pork from their menus, adhering to the religious practices of Hindus and Muslims, who make up most of India’s population. McDonald’s kitchens in India are also divided into separate sections for cooking vegetarian and nonvegetarian food. ‘In markets across the world, McDonald’s respects local cultures and has adopted our menu and dining experience to local preferences. The new restaurants in pilgrimage areas will be vegetarian-only because of the specific area and customer base,’ a McDonald’s spokeswoman said in a statement.”

Click the photo for more from the WSJ story.

Above is a McDonald’s in New Delphi India.

Photo by Agence France-Presse/Getty Images