McDonald's 'De-Americanizes' London Olympics Uniforms -- But Why?

McDonald's, the popular, American fast-food chain, is poised to find itself at the center of controversy over its alleged decision to de-Americanize the design of outfits that Olympic staffers will be wearing this summer.

Now, rather than sporting a more American-centric look, the 2,000 McDonald's food-service employees who will be working at the London games will be wearing more bland, modern and pickle and mustard-colored clothing.

"We've taken some of the Americanism out of the uniforms," said Wayne Hemingway, a British fashion designer, in an interview with Yahoo! Shine.

According to Hemingway, the changes came after examining some of the new McDonald's restaurants that take a more "serious" approach in their design. Rather than baseball caps, which he likened to items worn by individuals working at gas stations, he said the new design called for something more "proper."

So, what does "proper" look like? Mustard-colored skinny ties, belts, lettuce-green pants for customer service workers and yellow polo shirts -- oh, and pickle-green shirts as well. Fox News' Todd Starnes said it's "Mad Men meets Big Mac." Baseball caps will be traded out as well.

Starnes captured some of the reaction to the controversial changes:

“What is wrong with looking American?” asked Penny Macaw. “I am tired of people wanting to look global. We are American and should be proud of it.”

“I think they are pandering to the political pressure and it is absurd,” a Facebook reader said. “Dress them in red, white and blue and keep the ball cap. It’s the most American piece of clothing out there.”

But others said McDonald's has a right to dress its employees any way they choose.

“I don’t really have a problem with them changing the uniform to firm the country or culture,” one reader said. “But why the phrase ‘de-Americanize’? Is McDonald's ashamed of America?”

While some have expressed confusion regarding why the de-Americanization was needed, McDonald's is defending Hemingway's design and commentary.

"Wayne and his design team have done a great job of creating striking new designs that bind sustainability into the new UK uniforms," the company wrote in a statement to Fox News Radio. "The new uniform complements the colors of our redesigned restaurants."

Interestingly -- but not surprisingly -- the company didn't respond to a question about Hemingway's assertion that the uniforms were changed to look less American. While the new look may go into effect in restaurants across the United Kingdom, there are no plans to change workers' outfits at locations inside the U.S.

(H/T: Fox News Radio)