[aynyc]

It's about image. The most powerful weapon the west has isn't nuclear bomb but its culture and image. McDonald's business is a drop in the bucket in the tax revenue for the Putin regime. But if you (Putin) wants to claim that Russia is a powerful country, it needs to project an image of wealth, stability, etc.. McDonald, Starbucks, etc helps with that image.

[Beltiras]

Playing word association the word that doesn't come to mind when you say "McDonalds patrons" is wealthy.

[rswail]

Only a relatively wealthy population can afford fast food. The "convenience" of fast food is something that poor people (actually poor, not Western poverty) can't afford.

So yes, in the US/EU etc, McDonalds is seen as "cheap" food, but in places like Asian countries like Thailand, McDonalds is considered "middle class".