McDonald’s Moving Toward Upscale Decor

May 21, 2006  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Display on May 2006 The familiar red and gold of the ol’ trusted Mickey D’s will soon get an overhaul softening to terra cotta and tossing in a bit of olive and sage green for a homey look.

The change to the 51-year-old fast McDonald’s is part of a redesign of its nearly 30,000 outlets worldwide to give them an updated look and feel. The makeover, which is already underway in some markets, is an attempt to bring the chain’s out-dated decor in line with its updated menu. The company said by the end of this year that more than half of the 13,720 restaurants in the U.S. will feature elements of the new design.

Plans call for comfortable arm chairs, Wi-Fi access, premium coffees and an overall hip look and feel. Also in the works, less plastic and more brick and wood teamed with modern hanging lights for a more sophisticated glow. The company wants to present a more contemporary, welcoming image, according to John Miologos, vice president of worldwide architecture, design and construction for McDonald’s.

The company is working with design firm Lippincott Mercer of New York. Other elements of the plan call for three distinct sections in the dining area—the linger zone geared toward young adults looking to hang out; the grab and go zone with counters, bar stools, plasma televisions for customers dining alone; and the flexible zone with booths targeting families.