Perhaps you think you know everything McDonald's, from Big Macs to McFlurrys. But photo-journalist Gary He is on a mission to open your eyes to unusual aspects of this global fast food juggernaut, brought to life in his new vividly illustrated book, McAtlas.

He has used his photographic mastery to capture over 200 instances of strange and delightful variations in McDonald's approach worldwide, garnered from 55 countries around the globe in this engrossing tome. He doesn’t merely highlight internationally renowned anomalies like France's McBaguette or the McSpaghetti from the Philippines; he also captures architectural gems such as the "teardrop-shaped spaceship" styled McDonald's in Batumi, Georgia and the only ski-in McDonald's, nestled in snowdrifts in northern Sweden.

He's inspiration to chronicle the world's largest restaurant chain came from eating a Ramadan-friendly meal at a McDonald's in Marrakech. Frustrated by the scarce information available about the McDonald's fast-food giant's global operations and an outdated coverage from the 80s, He launched the McAtlas project. His aim? To satiate his curiosity, fill the information lacuna, and make an intriguing journey into the very heart of a seldom explored side of this influential company.

This project is about much more than capturing pictures of menu items and unearthing novel architecture. He underlays a deeper understanding of McDonald’s operations through his work, reflecting how McDonald's isn't just a centralized control exerted from an office in Chicago. In fact, He reveals that McDonald's offers its franchisees considerable independence to cater to their local market needs. This leads to a multitude of unexpected and localized menu items like the Marinated Chicken Bones he sampled in Shenzhen, China.

According to He, many such localized items are initiated independently, much like the Happy Meal that made its first appearance in Guatemala without official permission from McDonald's headquarters. He points out the challenges that the company continues to face due to the autonomous actions of some franchisees, such as the recent fiasco using high-priced menus.

He's fascination with McDonald's is deeply-rooted and sincere, exemplified by his love for the Sausage Egg McMuffin. His knowledge, passion, and globally sourced stories make McAtlas an authentic and authoritative resource on the subject. He believes that Japan takes the lead in the race for McDonald’s supremacy for its cultural adaptability and creative seasonal menu items.

His book is set to grace bookstores later this year, ready to add a surprising zest to your culinary library for a suggested retail price of $49.95.