Posted on 05/09/2011 4:27:37 PM PDT by Graybeard58
Edited on 05/09/2011 6:16:43 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
McDonald’s is looking less like McDonald’s and more like Starbucks.
At a time when most of McDonald’s competitors are still shell-shocked from the recent recession, the fast-food giant is undertaking its biggest store-by-store makeover in the chain’s 56-year history: The 500-pound clown of fast food is trying to look more like a grown-up.
It’s a $1 billion-plus undertaking that McDonald’s and its franchisees hope, by 2015, will have the vast majority of America’s 14,000 McDonald’s looking comfortable enough to hang out in long after you’ve gobbled down your burger, fries — and smoothie.
For the next generation of McDonald’s customers, the notion of what a McDonald’s restaurant looks like inside and out could be turned on its head. Goodbye, fiberglass tables and industrial steel chairs. Adios, neon-yellow, bright-red interiors. Hello, wooden tables, comfortable faux leather chairs and interiors newly painted in muted oranges, yellows and even subtle greens.
Take away all the McDonald’s signage — and the familiar front counter area — and customers who were to drive by or step inside wouldn’t likely know they were face-to-face with a McDonald’s. Even from the street, many of the changes are immediately apparent. No more clown-red roofs. No more confusion about what door to use. And that all-too-familiar white facade has been replaced with more inviting earth tones and glass.
Does anyone remember during the carter-created “energy crisis” MacDonald’s using candles in the night with low lighting?
It was actually kind of cool.
>>“I’m hoping,” she says, while watching her crew of preteens down a tray-load of burgers, fries and soft drinks, “this means McDonald’s will also be bringing in more fresh fruits.”<<
Because parents have no say in what their children eat.
I go just to watch the “ladies” rip off one another’s weaves in a brawl.
Well, this is an improvement over their marketing effort of a couple years ago that was aimed at urban gang bangers.
That's Massah and Missus Obama's job.
This has already started in my Washington, DC burb, where they have torn down one of our three McDonald’s — to the ground — and are building the new modern version. Actually, the interior picture at the link looks pleasant and attractive.
What about the Mickey D stench? I always have to plan what I wear that I can drop the grease smell soon after.
Arrrrr
I’ll be excited when I can walk in, order a Ribeye steak(a REAL steak), and a good beer.
Future Starbucks ad campaign: Starbucks, where you don’t get kicked in the head.
Or the Judge Dread ? Sly Stallone movie where ya had to make reservations at Taco Bell....?
Pumpin sunshine up our kilts aint gonna make me go into a Micky Dees .
That’s Demolition Man. Judge Dredd, he just said, “I am the law.”, a lot.
I liked the ones in the ‘70s and ‘80s that reflected the local area. The store in Houlton, Maine had a huge wood burning stove and fireplace in the middle of the dining room.
>>Well, this is an improvement over their marketing effort of a couple years ago that was aimed at urban gang bangers.<<
“We goin’ to Mickey-Dees!”
Heck, I was born white and I ain’t that white. That was beyond Martin Mull!
$1 billon pissed away. I can tell them what they need to do and it will cost less and bring in more customers.
How about something simple, like say...EDIBLE FOOD!
Their burgers suck and even the fries aren’t very good, like they used to be.
I avoid McDonald’s except when on the road around twice a year and then its breakfast.
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