FFC On Location: New Look McDonald’s
This softer, more stylish McDonald’s aims for new standard.
A few weeks ago, the owners of a McDonald’s franchise in Maryland had a complete makeover done on their restaurant located in the city of Pikesville. Leading the way on the fast-food facelift was an interior design firm called Whitehead and Appel. The new “sophisticated” look includes a warmer, more contemporary style that focuses on natural textures and materials. Custom furniture, stone floors, limestone counters, limited edition art, extra-high ceilings, custom lighting, wi-fi and multiple flat screen televisions are among the many new features in this freshly decorated MickeyD’s. Franchise owners Bob and Barbara Houck have stated their store may be considered as a “model” for other McDonald’s restaurants nationwide in the future.
That got my attention, so I visited the store myself. I took several photos of the new design and details for FFC readers. You won’t be overloaded with flashy colors and cheap looking plastic decorations in this store. The sleek modern look is a welcome change from most McDonald’s. Overall it’s a stylish, modern and inviting environment that I’m sure people will respond to in a positive way. Even the bathrooms were nicely upgraded, and super clean. Now we’ll just have to wait and see if this new look really does create a chain reaction for this fast food icon. I hope you enjoy the photos.
But does it make the food taste better? : )
wow, you guys are just getting this? (in the USA)
A few mcdonalds over here have been using looks like this for over 6months+
They’re a nice change and you actually want to go eat in for once.
Great photos
Wow, stylin’.
It’s a huge contrast to Jack in the Box’s remodel effort where they seem to be going for the “barnyard shack” look. They put metal sheeting behind the Jack sign, booths became tables with heavy iron chairs.
I agree with Jason, though, focus on the food! Only a fool considers the ambiance the top priority of a restaurant.
Top priority (for me): Start making your patties fresh again (get rid of the microwaves). That one thing would make a regular again (by regular I mean more than a couple of visits a month- Taco Bell sees me at least five times a week).
People will flock to eat in a barn if the food is great!
I like it.
The old look is outdated and worn. I think it’s time for a change. This is nice.
Unfortunately they still sell McDonald’s food.
Sweet, when I am homeless I will have a nice place to hang out.
I could totally put some of those pieces of furniture together and have a nice bed, and the bathroom looks good too.
Throw in the “all you can eat ketchup” and you have a residence fit for a king.
in New Zealand we’ve had mccafes and mc cafe style mcdonalds for almost 4 years….
It’s very nice..maybe the nicest mcdonalds i’ve ever seen, but I still have trouble seeing the young trendy people hanging out there like they do at starbucks or panera..but who knows.
This is not the first upscale McDonalds in the USA. There is a McD’s in Asheville, NC with a grand piano, carpeted stairway, fireplaces, etc. Very nice feel.
Now if they could get their burgers tasting like actual beef, I might eat there again.
Reminds me of a McD’s with a fireplace near Charlottesville, VA.
redecorating a restaurant doesn’t change how i would feel towards the food. I still think McDonalds is low quality fast food.
McCafes have been all over Asia already and they sell coffee drinks that compete with Starbucks for a much lesser price. They also have cute little desserts and sell “foreign” drinks like Arizona Beverage Co. infamous green teas large glass bottles.