Town Has Beef With McDonald’s: Lake Forest,...

Town Has Beef With McDonald’s: Lake Forest, Ill., is embroiled in a food fight with McDonald’s over a proposed restaurant that some residents of the tony community view as declasse. Last fall some residents persuaded the city to block the restaurant. The company sued. Lake Forest officials now worry that their legal fight will cost $100,000 to $150,000. “It is unfair the way they [McDonald’s] are treating us,” said Lake Forest resident Linda Rosenberg, who eats at other McDonald’s restaurants but says she’s worried about increased traffic. If the experience of other communities that took on the world’s biggest fast-food chain is any indication, Lake Forest is fighting a losing battle. When McDonald’s meets resistance from communities concerned about traffic, architectural aesthetics or overall suitability, the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company usually wins. In fact, the last time the fast-food chain lost a fight in the face of community opposition to a new restaurant was 20 years ago. Martha’s Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusetts, held off the hamburger chain with the help of movie and pop music stars.