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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.
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11-20-2009 @3:59AM Krystal said... I'm studying abroad in Europe and really the best designed Mc Donald's I have seen are the ones in Italy! For an American studying abroad and seeing an American resturant that seemed to be better here than in than in the States was truly facinating to see! As much as I do not like Mickey Dee's...props to them for looking into the future!
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11-20-2009 @5:05AM Tony D said... Great free internet for the freeloaders. They buy a coffee and a Egg McMuffin and sit for hours like they own the place. The best part they think that they have a special seat and how dare you sit in it.
You see them all the time at the bagel shops. Then they go out and get in there Hummers or Lexis. Bunch of damn freeloaders.
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11-20-2009 @5:48AM Mike P said... you know what else is bad for everyone, besides carbs and all that? Bad grammer learn to speak.
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11-20-2009 @5:55AM wes said... Looks like IKEA threw up, and mobody is eating.
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11-20-2009 @7:00AM Lisa said... (Yes I ate a fish filet from McDonalds while in France...what can I say? French food - hard to find something you like)Hey, Michele, I CAN'T BELIEVE you went to the gastronimique capital of the world and of the three wonderful and diverse cities you visited, you only went to MCDONALD'S???? "French food, hard to find something you like"??? You sound like you obviously didn't try any of it. Did you appreciate any of the culture you hopefully encountered? Please don't tell me you took flash pictures when you went to the "Hall of Mirrors" at Versailles (don't laugh, I encountered a stupid group of tourists who did just that...and they weren't Americans). I hope you did enjoy your trip, but if you didn't eat any simple French food like poulet roti avec frites (roasted chicken w/shoestring fries) or had a fresh croissant with cafe au lait or a chocolat instead of an Egg McMuffin, or sampled some of their charcuterie (their deli), you missed out on about 75%-85% of the true French experience. It's like throwing pearls to swine. Quelle folie
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11-20-2009 @9:08PM ronzo said... give me an effin break...
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11-23-2009 @8:38AM NoVANicole said... Long overdue, I like the look. I don't usually eat there, but that's because I have to use a lot more moderation with food these days. Now if we could just get a Chelsea type crowd in more of them.
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6-07-2010 @5:09AM Chris Chandler said... I'm Lovin' It!!
Great Move.
In keeping with the trends and the times the is a definite step forward for McDonald's.
Gone are the hamburgler yellow and red chairs with the white tables and kiddie looking interiors.
Now that I've grown up I feel like having a new Angus Deluxe with a Cinnabon...oops...I mean Cinna-melt (who shared that idea??!?!?!Better than the mall product if you ask me.) for dessert.
Here in Charlotte NC we have a couple of very nicely newly built and remodeled McDonalds that make comfort a style. No more plastic seats to warrant a 10-minute stay then your out the door, no these chairs are very, very comfortable. You'll want to stay and have coffee, read the paper, wifi, everything you have time for.
I had given up on McDonalds some time back. Now I feel inclined to compliment their progress.
Now just make those sandwiches a bit warmer and we'll have a winner (I still get a cold Big Mac occasionally)
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