Let’s tackle your false assumption before answering the question. McDonald’s is certainly not an evil empire. 85% of it’s locations are franchises, usually owned by local business people. It has also taken aggressive stances on environmental issues including humane treatment of cattle, and reduction of product packaging. You can view their efforts to be an environmentally responsible corporation at the official site. Of course, that information is company sponsored - so you don’t have to believe it. McDonald’s is the easy target of environmentalists and foes of “globalization” because of it’s worldwide reconigiton. The environmentalists are mad mostly because McDonald’s serves meat*, the anti-globalists are mad that McDonald’s is a successful American corporation (like Starbucks). It’s ironic that they target a franchise-based business that’s locally owned and oeprated. Sure, some products, like potatoes may come from far away processing plants, but it only makes economical sense for those running the restaurants. Additionally, the company is known for it’s generous contributions to charities which benefit children. And Ray Kroc is from my town, so his company couldn’t be evil. 
On the original post. I’m sure there have been threads on this subject before. I searched Google’s Deja - and there are dozens of threads. The core menu items are the same every (part of the franchise agreement I suppose), but franchisees are free to add items to the menu that reflect local tastes, religion, and customs. I’m sure McDonald’s Corporate has some rules about this, but I couldn’t find them. Considering the menu variations, they must be quite lenient. If the product doesn’t sell, it’s dicontinued. If it’s a success, it may end up on the standard menu - like Egg McMuffins. Perhaps a franchise owner will pop in and set the record straight. Here’s a list of variations I found while cruising around Deja:
New England: the Lobster Roll - I’ve had this and it’s quite tasty.
Hong Kong: Samurai Burger (with Teriyaki sauce), Beer
Canada: Beer, Pizza, and vinegar for your fries
Germany: Beer
Singapore: Towkay Burger
New Zealand: Kiwi Burger (with beetroot and eggs),Jonah Lomu Burger, McTaro (?)
Austria: Beer (in glasses, no less)
Japan: curry rice, potato and bacon pies
Britain: McCafe, iced tea, pizza
Alaska: salmon mcnuggets
Seattle: cappucino
New Mexico: chopped green chiles on hamburgers
Australia: McCafe with coffe and pastries, El Maco (a taco burger)
San Francisco’s Chinatown: Chinese soups - wonton, hot & sour
British Columbia: deep-fried turkey strips
This is by no means complete and there is crossover that I have not bothered to list. I could not find a site online describing all variations. There are also products which are seasonal - like the mcRib, or Lobster Roll.
[sub]* I am a quasi-vegetarian, which means I eat fish and dairy, but no land animals - not for moral reasons, mostly for my health. I would welcome a McDonald’s vegggie burger. It is currently being tested in New York. I live in Northern New England where that product would likely fare poorly.[/sub]
