Dutch restaurateur Eric Meurs went with his family to a Golden Corral buffet in Florida, and decided that's exactly the kind of restaurant the Netherlands needed. Meurs went home and opened ABC restaurant in Velp, Netherlands, in 2000. Already large, it grew to 750 seats and eight buffet stations over time. One of the draws is Uncle Sam, the restaurant's mascot, a symbol of America who welcomed children. Where should the next location be? Iraq, of course! It wasn't that simple, but ABC opened in Erbil, Iraq, in 2017, with 1800 seats. They now have a second Iraqi location in Sulaimani with 800 seats. And they fill them.
The concept of an American buffet with up-front pricing turned out to be very popular, and the decor is Disneyesque, with American icons on the walls and a playground for the kids. The food is American, Mexican, Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern. They don't claim to be authentic, but more of an American version of those dishes. Both the Dutch and the Iraqis flocked to ABC. Read about this "American" restaurant that's not American at all at Eater.
(Image credit: Maarten Meurs)