McDonald's China Opens First Ocean-Themed Restaurant in Shenzhen Qianhai; Entire Whitefish Range Earns MSC Sustainable Certification

McDonald's China officially opened its first ocean-themed restaurant on October 30, 2026, in the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen. Named the "Wanghai Road Restaurant," it was created jointly by McDonald's China and its strategic partner, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

The restaurant incorporates marine ecosystem elements into its facade, public areas and dining tables. The facade features a glass curtain wall and a surfboard-inspired canopy, showcasing underwater creatures and ocean landscapes; a large LED screen on the second floor loops underwater imagery; the counter area's design contours draw on the shapes of warm and cold currents; and graphic panels on the dining tables introduce Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), MSC certification and ocean conservation knowledge.

McDonald's China states that it is the first Western quick-service restaurant brand whose entire whitefish product range fully meets MSC global sustainable fisheries standards. The Alaska pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus) used to make the Filet-O-Fish, Double Deep-Sea Cod Burger and Fish Burger all comes from fisheries certified to sustainable standards.

The restaurant also incorporates circular economy elements: a transparent art installation inspired by the Filet-O-Fish burger was made via 3D printing using 7.7 kilograms of recycled plastic, containing miniature fish models made from toys recycled by the company; dining chairs are made from recycled ocean plastic, and the tabletops incorporate recycled shells.

At the opening ceremony, Xia Sha, deputy director of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone Authority, said that leveraging MSC's international network and Qianhai's sustainable fisheries ecosystem, the project combines responsible seafood sourcing, everyday consumer experience and ocean education, helping to strengthen Qianhai's ocean-related economic development and promote ocean-friendly consumption. Ishbel Matheson, Chief Communications Officer of MSC, said that MSC standards are designed to protect marine ecosystems, support the livelihoods of fishing communities and safeguard long-term seafood supply; the shared goal of McDonald's China and MSC is to implement sustainable fisheries standards throughout the supply chain and translate these commitments into accessible experiences that consumers can easily understand. Gu Lei, Chief Impact Officer of McDonald's China, said that for the company, sustainability is reflected both in raw material sourcing and restaurant operations and in using its operating scale to bring sustainable choices to the public; through the iconic Fish Burger product, the company hopes to make the story of responsible sourcing visible and inspire future generations to care for the environment.

The restaurant will maintain an ongoing schedule of themed exhibitions and educational seminars, introducing marine ecosystems, sustainable fisheries management and the importance of ocean conservation to young people through exhibitions, interactive sessions and hands-on activities.