U.S. culture has a high contagion factor; in modern Internet terms, it would be called "viral." Here is a great example from Bloomberg, saying McDonalds is kicking butt in the lunch market in France. Beau coup bistros are closing their doors, while Mickey D is doing well. I love it.
Cultural artifacts that survive in a market environment featuring highly varied customers (i.e., the U.S.) tend to do well in other countries. It is the most insidious form of cultural imperialism, the most difficult to resist. Le Big Mac is but another example to add to a long list that includes Coca Cola, blue jeans, American slang, rock music, and Hollywood films.
