Big Mac sues Florence for spiking plan for fast-food outlet on historic square
Rome — Just after upsetting cardinals with its plans for a fast-food outlet in the Vatican, McDonald’s is suing the city of Florence for $20m for blocking another in one of that city’s most historic squares. The US chain said on Monday it was claiming €17.8m ($19.65m) in damages after the rejection of its application to open an outlet at the Piazza del Duomo, one of Europe’s most visited places. The Piazza del Duomo — "Cathedral Square" — is a treasure of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Buildings include the domed Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, the Giotto bell tower and the St John Baptistery. Italian media report McDonald’s is aggrieved as it promised to make big changes to its business model to fit in with local regulations. McDonald’s said the suit was being filed with the administrative court, which arbitrates in governance disputes. Florence’s centre-left mayor, Dario Nardella, turned down McDonald’s application in June, in a decision confirmed in July by a technical pan...
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