The prospect of the first McDonald’s opening in Mykonos has ignited a new cycle of controversy on the Greek island. The debate raises complex legal hurdles and fundamental questions about the island’s tourism identity.
This is more than a simple business investment; it strikes at the heart of “Chora’s” character, the institutional framework that protects it, and the fine line between economic growth and heritage preservation.
The licensing conflict and legal protection
At the center of the dispute is the regulatory status of Mykonos’ main town (Chora). A specific protection decree explicitly prohibits “fast-food” establishments in the area.
Conversely, critics of the ban point out that the same decree technically prohibits souvlaki shops, yet these operate without issue. With numerous international dining and entertainment chains already present on the island, many characterize the current public outcry as hypocritical.
The saga began in early December 2025, when businessman Florios Asimomytis submitted a request via the “openbusiness” platform for a “mass catering establishment (restaurant-café)” in the Alefkandra district, located just below the island’s iconic windmills.
The Municipality forwarded the request to the building department and archaeological services, as Chora is a triple-protected site: a declared archaeological zone, a traditional settlement, and a village of state-protected significance.
A bit of a bun-fight emerging on Mykonos as a local entrepreneur managed to sneak a forbidden fast-food chain licence through the planning dept. When the signage went up the certificate was quickly cancelled and is now the subject of spirited local debate. pic.twitter.com/XXmoRnUnBH
— Nomadpossum 🐟🇬🇷 (@nomadpossum) February 10, 2026
Initial approval for and revocation
When the legal 15-day window for a response passed without an objection, the businessman moved to secure his certification. On Christmas Eve, Mayor Christos Veronis approved, with the explicit caveat that all terms regarding traditional settlements must be upheld.
“Subsequently, we saw social media posts announcing a McDonald’s opening,” Mayor Veronis stated. “This was not apparent from the company name, nor did the application mention a fast-food operation. Consequently, we ordered a planning department audit.”
The audit reaffirmed that while a 1995 decree allows for restaurants and snack bars, it strictly forbids fast-food outlets. However, due to a discrepancy in geographic coordinates, the service initially stated it could not definitively rule on the legality of the specific location.
By January 21, 2026, the Municipality revoked the December certification, citing inaccurate data in the application. The company responded by attributing the coordinate error to a technical glitch on the platform and submitted a new application on January 26.
Mayor Veronis remains firm: “McDonald’s applied for a permit in 2015 and was denied for the same reasons. The existing Goody’s [a Greek fast-food chain] is located a kilometer outside the settlement. I believe the permit should be denied, as it violates the decree and compromises the settlement’s aesthetic.”
The McDonald’s stance
In contrast, Asimomytis argues that the establishment is entirely legal. “For years, McDonald’s has operated as a restaurant, providing table service, which is why we applied for a restaurant license,” he explained.
He further noted the perceived double standard: “Over the years, numerous souvlaki and burger shops have opened in Chora under restaurant licenses. We cannot discriminate against McDonald’s just because it is an American chain. Mykonos needs everything—from quick bites to high-end fine dining. Symbolically, the store will adapt to the Mykonian landscape; there will be no massive ‘M’ or neon signs.”
The struggle for Mykonos’s soul
The issue has polarized the local community. Vangelis Pelekis, a veteran of the island’s hospitality sector, speaking to workenter.gr. , offers a nuanced view: “Many say it’s too late to discuss the identity of Mykonos, but I disagree. The island may be heavily developed, but it still maintains its scale and high quality.”
Pelekis notes that the friction isn’t necessarily about international brands, as the island is already home to many. “What bothers people is the ‘mass-market’ element that threatens to make Mykonos look like any other place on Earth. Yet, this debate is somewhat of a pretext. One shop like this is a drop in the ocean compared to the large-scale ‘strategic investments’ that are truly damaging the Cycladic landscape. Those are what we should be banning.”
As the new application remains pending, the “McDonald’s Affair” continues to mirror the broader struggle for the future of Greece’s most famous luxury destination.
Related: Greece Imposes New Building Restrictions on Mykonos and Santorini
