Photo: Bebeto Matthews, AP
A redesigned McDonald's featuring free wireless Internet access, an art deco concept, flat-screen televisions and all-black-clad employees has opened in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
The restaurant is the first of its kind to open in the United States, following the success of similarly designed locations in Paris and London, officials say.
"We recognized there was an opportunity to contemporize the restaurant environment and refresh the appearance and experience at many of our U.S. restaurants," Danya Proud, senior manager-communications of McDonald's USA, told Slashfood.
Proud said about 50 percent of the some 14,000 McDonald's U.S. restaurants have received "some sort of a refreshed look" since 2003 -- but the Manhattan location is the first to incorporate the Euro-style.
Among the chichi design elements are a zebra-like wall design by one of France's leading interior designers, Philippe Avanzi, and futuristic chairs modeled after noted Danish designer Arne Jacobsen.
Proud said "conversations are still being had," as to whether any other European redesign locations will open in the United States following the Chelsea outpost, but that this particular venue had the similar urban trend-setter base of customers as Europe.
"I'm just really proud of this restaurant," franchise owner Paul Hendel told Slashfood. "Chelsea is the chic, upcoming area. We have neighborhood folks coming in and thanking me for the restaurant because it fits in with the area so well."
Despite its stylish appearance, the 186-seat Chelsea outpost offers the same menu as any other McDonald's.
11-19-2009 @8:13PM Charles said... A majority of the population grew up with the McDonalds whimsey and noted color scheme. I hate the new ideas, I hate the entire concept, and I would not be a bit surprised to find out the prices are going to be raised to pay for all this upgrade!
Reply
11-19-2009 @8:30PM Michael said... They should keep it in Europe................
Reply
11-19-2009 @9:03PM Joker said... wen mcdonalds changed its appearance, it shoulda changed its entire menu 2. all that fat and carbs r bad for u no matter where ya eatim. so...ppl, start eatin mcdonalds and seriously, no matter how much they change da scenery, its still gonna hav the same carbs. eat healthy!
:)
Reply
11-19-2009 @9:02PM aryl42 said... I've been to McDonald's in Europe and none of them look like this!
Reply
11-19-2009 @9:24PM nana7 said... Sounds good, tired of customers complaining about having to pay for inter net. Tired of co-workers thinking that carpenter pants and pink belt mans they are in uniform.. white shoes and shirts hanging out.. Those are how mngrs. dress in my store.
Mngrs. are total idiots.They screw up orders, then blame the crew person, I've recieved $25. gift card to different stores from customers.. That hqas been for my service, taking money I really didn't have to cover someone's order because they did't have it.. any cash belongs to franchise owner. Keeping a cash gift can cost you your job, plus having excess cash in drawer can cost you your job... If I change order after it;s totaled, can be written up and fired.. We work at 9% labor sometimes. Then when rush is over, we're sent home early. Store is left filthy.. The franchise owner is so greedy that he doesn't know about the mice in the store room and the roaches in the soda machine.
Reply
11-19-2009 @9:35PM L. M. Ary said... I've been to McDonald's in Europe any none of them looked like this!
Reply
11-19-2009 @9:49PM kitty said... This is so unrealistic. The tables are normally covered in the plastic ware, trays of crappy food, spilled out fries, etc. This photo barely shows a tray or two in the background and this chic guy with the computer has a coffee. Whatever. If I walked into this particular Chelsea McD's it would never look like this. Nice photography. I'm not McLovin' It though.
Reply
11-19-2009 @10:22PM bormanathome said... No matter the decor....IT'S STILL MCDONALDS!!!!!
Reply
11-19-2009 @11:40PM Larry Niemi said... I travel qite a bit and I don't usually care for McDonalds. But last Sept I was traveling through Iron Mountain, a small town in Michigans Upper Penninsula, And WOW the McDonalds there was the best I've ever been in. I don't know what style you would call it but it was Super. After all these years they finally got something right.
Reply
11-19-2009 @11:57PM Michelle said... I recently travelled to France and was amazed at the McDonalds there! It was just in Paris...we visited Versailles and Avignon and all were the same type of atmosphere! (Yes I ate ate a fish filet from McDonalds while in France...what can I say? French food - hard to find something you like) I loved the atmosphere...it was really hip and trendy and comfortable. But I agree with Joker - they should update their menu too. In France they don't use the same oil we do here...and the fries were actually dry and almost tasted as if they were baked! I didn't really like them...I was looking for comfort food. :)
Reply
11-19-2009 @11:58PM Michelle said... correction - I meant to type "It WASN'T just in Paris..."
Reply
11-20-2009 @12:09AM moisesxrawr said... That's actually good. I like the idea. Europe is way past the US in everything so we need to catch up!
Reply
11-20-2009 @12:11AM moisesxrawr said... The old scheme looked terrible; it's better than having lousy fatty foods and having a lousy looking fast-food place
Reply
11-20-2009 @12:26AM litamoran said... Actually, it looks more like a small bank than a restaurant--fast food trough or otherwise.
Reply
11-20-2009 @1:27AM Scooter said... They should give more attention to the food they are serving. The "Big Mac" should be called "Little Mac" The Quarter Pounder" another joke. The price goes up, but the quality and size of the items goes down. Some locations are clean, but others are not. There should be a someone going around to these locations and doing inspections to make sure they are all clean. Want a real burger? Go to Burger King! At least you get more meat on the bun!!
Reply
11-20-2009 @1:29AM doggy said... Actually, kitty, this McDonald's looks better in person than it does in this picture. This photo only shows the second floor. When you enter through the main doors, it's like you're walking in anything other than a McDonald's. But alas, the menu is the same (prices are the same for those wondering).
Reply
11-20-2009 @2:14AM Ryan said... I haven't been to a Mc Donalds in over a year. I don't see it happening any time soon, either. If they think that a revamped interior will change that, they have another thing coming. Their food is a health hazard.
Reply
11-20-2009 @3:37AM no2u said... wow. you traveled across the atlantic; spent time in, at least, paris and avignon, and you couldn't find anything decent to eat in that whole country? you know, france... the cynosure of ancient culinary traditions for the modern age?
and sure, you may not like pot au feu (bone marrow isn't for everyone, but i sure as heck like it) or chicken kidneys with mustard... but for the love of god, if anyone in the western world does food, it's the frogs.
Reply
1-14-2010 @8:05PM BigPhatCatLover said... I'd like to give McD's some well deserved thanks for adding healthy options to their menu. To those complaining - do you remember the days when salads were not part of the menu? How about "grilled" anything? Now they offer a lot of healthy choices. Yes, they still have fries and lots of other unhealthy choices, but they stopped using transfats and they have been willing to adapt to what their customers wanted.
I like this renovated look - I hope it catches on! It would be nice to see it look like a place that families and adults can go to - not just teenagers on a rampage who have no clue about how to behave in public and leave their trash everywhere and make a pest of themselves while not buying anything.
My only real suggestion to McDonald's would be to hire people who SPEAK ENGLISH and have at least a minimum of intelligence.
Otherwise - I hope they keep adapting to the times and wishes of their customers and the cultures of the cities/countries they are in.
Congrats McD's!
Reply
11-20-2009 @3:51AM szqz35 said... I didn't care for the decore at all but I like the idea of the free wireless internet.
Reply