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ROME - When McDonald's hoisted their Golden Arches in sight of Rome's Spanish Steps 20 years ago, there was one happy outcome: a food and wine critic from Turin called Carlo Petrini was so infuriated he launched the Slow Food Movement, a personal crusade against the Big Mac and everything it represented.
But to remind optimists that Slow Food is not winning that war, McDonald's today snips the ribbon at its eighth restaurant in the heart of Rome, - only a burger flip away from the Trevi fountain, one of the city's most popular tourist hot spots.
The licensing of the latest enormous franchise, which will have seating for 209 over two floors, has infuriated champions of the heritage of the city centre. Viviana di Capua, president of the centre's residents' association, said: "I announce that citizens, residents and business people will come together to take common action in the face of emergency confronting the centre."
Via delle Muratte, location of the new McDonald's, is a narrow pedestrian lane just 300m long. It already houses several snack and takeaway outlets.
- Independent
