Stranded in Austria? In a unique partnership, the U.S. Embassy in Vienna and McDonald’s Austria have teamed up to assist stranded Americans with lost or stolen passports.
As of May 15, 2019, Americans can visit one of the almost 200 McDonald’s in Austria and – instead of ordering food – can receive assistance on contacting the U.S. Embassy for consular services.
New services include providing support for a lost or stolen passport and offering travel assistance, according to the Facebook post from the U.S. Embassy.
A Memorandum of Agreement was signed on May 10 by Ambassador Traina, and the new arrangement has now been rolled out at all local McDonald’s in Austria.
The post has been shared nearly 600 times from supportive, confused, and less enthusiastic Facebook users.
One user commented, “Can you help me find the McEmbassy please?”
Another noted that it is an awesome idea and a clever business plan.
One user had another suggestion, “If we can also file our u.s tax as expat at McD, then we are talking.”
The U.S. Embassy states on Facebook, “This partnership is only one extra way for Americans to connect to the Embassy when they are in an emergency situation.”
The Embassy also noted that this service will not replace any staff members at the Embassy, and the office is fully staffed.
There is no news as to whether or not this idea will spread to other McDonald’s restaurants around the world.
