The European Union will analyse an antitrust complaint that accuses fast food giant McDonald's of abusing its dominant position at the expense of both its franchisees and consumers.
The complaint comes on top of an EU investigation opened last month into whether McDonald's received a sweet tax deal from Luxembourg.
An alliance of Italian consumer groups backed by trade unions claims that McDonald's forces franchisees to lease property it owns at excessive prices and imposes such restrictive contracts it affects consumer choice and quality.
McDonald's defended its operating practices with franchisees.
It is now up to the EU to decide whether to accept the complaint.
McDonald's has almost 8,000 restaurants in Europe, of which about three-quarters are franchised.
