Some observers see the decision to start outside the Slovak capital as an indictment of Bratislava's inefficiency as much as it is a tribute to Banska Bystrica's appeal. Seconding that sentiment was Steve Macfarlane, sales director for Immobiliser, an automotive security company whose business took off after moving from Bratislava to Banska Bystrica in May 1994. He cited tediously long waits for official permits as an example of the headaches of doing business in Bratislava. Although Immobiliser's business is quite different from McDonald's, Macfarlane said some problems are the same no matter what the industry. But Bratislava is a capital city of over half a million people, and Farmer said McDonald's decision to start elsewhere does not help Bratislava's yearning to be a cosmopolitan town.
All international cities have one, as much as they have their own opera house.
Despite some early hesitancy based partly on environmental concerns. Bratislava Mayor Peter Kresanek now invites the multinational empire to enter his city. McDonald's still intends to open a restaurant in Bratislava, Jirakova said, but not until early in 1996. It is part of the company's plan to open three to five restaurants a year in Slovakia over the next five years. Jirakova mentioned Kosice, Zilina and Nitra as other cities in McDonald's plans for the very near future.