McDonald's Announces They Are Getting a "Starbucks-like" Makeover - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 05-09-2011, 04:22 PM

McDonald's To Look Like Starbucks
05/09/11
AP

McDonald's is taking a cue from Starbucks and upgrading the look and feel of its stores, reports USA Today. The fast food giant has invested over $1 billion in remodeling its 14,000 U.S. franchises and hopes to have most of the facelifts complete by 2015.

Jim Carras, senior vice president of domestic restaurant development for McDonald's explains that it is important to change with the times and to do faster than ever.

Not only is the chain hoping to edge out rivals like Burger King and Wendy's but McDonald's also hopes to give Panera and Chipotle a run for their money as well.

Simply put, "nicer-looking stores attract more business," as is proven by McDonald's newly redesigned Tampa branch, which has seen a double-digit sales boost in the past year.

McDonald's sought inspiration from its outposts in France and Australia, which already have a sleeker, more modern feel. Additional inspiration has also come from the uber-sleek Apple stores.

The "McRemodel" laundry list of changes includes:

• nixing the red roofs

• a focus on earth tones rather than red and yellow

• no more fiberglass, no more steel chairs

• more drive-through windows

• getting rid of fluorescent lights

• adding flat-screen TVs

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0...1_lnk3%7C61723

catlover79 · 05-09-2011, 04:27 PM

OK, McDonald's, and the point is...?

Marvo301 · 05-09-2011, 04:34 PM

Here's an idea. How about better food? Now that's a change they SHOULD be making!!!!

MickeyMac · 05-09-2011, 08:13 PM

Somebody needs to tell McDonalds "If it aint broke, dont fix it" They are already making millions and will continue to do so.

Retro4Life · 05-09-2011, 08:24 PM

Get rid of the poisonous trans fat, for one. KFC did so, and while no one will ever mistake their food for health food, at least it's acknowledging how truly awful that stuff is. And it still tastes good!

As far as the other stuff, sounds to me like they're going to try to remove most of their visual and architectural touchstones, which to me is a real pity. Seeing those golden arches meant something, just like the traditional caricature of Colonel Sanders meant something. They harkened back to the good times of our past, and it's usually a mistake to mess with those memories.

Anybody remember "New Coke"?

Marvo301 · 05-09-2011, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Get rid of the poisonous trans fat, for one. KFC did so, and while no one will ever mistake their food for health food, at least it's acknowledging how truly awful that stuff is. And it still tastes good!

As far as the other stuff, sounds to me like they're going to try to remove most of their visual and architectural touchstones, which to me is a real pity. Seeing those golden arches meant something, just like the traditional caricature of Colonel Sanders meant something. They harkened back to the good times of our past, and it's usually a mistake to mess with those memories.

Anybody remember "New Coke"?

You are right about removing the visual and architectural touchstones. Most of the changes mentioned have already taken place to the McDonalds restaurants where I live. Now when you walk in it's not instantly recognizable as McDonalds it's just a generic fast food restaurant.

Zoneboy · 05-09-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Article

The "McRemodel" laundry list of changes includes:

• nixing the red roofs

• a focus on earth tones rather than red and yellow

• no more fiberglass, no more steel chairs

• more drive-through windows

• getting rid of fluorescent lights

• adding flat-screen TVs

Most of these so called improvements have already taken place at some locations.

JamesG · 05-10-2011, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Most of these so called improvements have already taken place at some locations.

I guess it depends on where you are.

Many of the McDonald's near me haven't updated to this yet.

catlover79 · 05-10-2011, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

I guess it depends on where you are.

Many of the McDonald's near me haven't updated to this yet.

Ditto Northeast Ohio.

Retro4Life · 05-10-2011, 03:51 PM

^ Northern Illinois's still retro, too.

OH Nuts! · 05-10-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Get rid of the poisonous trans fat, for one. KFC did so, and while no one will ever mistake their food for health food, at least it's acknowledging how truly awful that stuff is. And it still tastes good!

As far as the other stuff, sounds to me like they're going to try to remove most of their visual and architectural touchstones, which to me is a real pity. Seeing those golden arches meant something, just like the traditional caricature of Colonel Sanders meant something. They harkened back to the good times of our past, and it's usually a mistake to mess with those memories.

Anybody remember "New Coke"?

You make some good points. Yes totally get rid of the trans fat - probably won't be missed taste wise. Yes their orig. architectural touchstones are great - why they want to monkey with it is beyond me. True, no one will ever (in their right mind anyways) mistake McD's for healthy food - I am glad they post nutritional info so you can at least make informed choices - I almost never set foot into a McD's - all the food is really bad for me as I'm pre-diabetic.

Dr. Thong · 05-10-2011, 07:52 PM

Why would a iconic restaurant chain with it's legendary golden arches and own sense of feel copy a...coffee chain?

And if they make over their prices like Starbucks, they will lose mucho business because McD's and Starbucks the way I see it, are two different types of crowd demographic.

Whatever happened to the time when businesses sought their own distinctive style to separate them from everyone else...?

catlover79 · 05-11-2011, 02:43 AM

Rich and Chris, you both make excellent points!

JamesG · 03-31-2017, 11:37 PM

I know this is an older thread, but the McDonald's changes finally made its way to around me.

A McDonald's near me completed its remodeling a few months ago and got rid of the "classic" look for a more "sleek" look.

Before:

After:

Has anyone else noticed the McDonald's changes since I made this thread 6 years ago?

Bonniegirl · 04-01-2017, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

I know this is an older thread, but the McDonald's changes finally made its way to around me.

A McDonald's near me completed its remodeling a few months ago and got rid of the "classic" look for a more "sleek" look.

Before:

After:

Has anyone else noticed the McDonald's changes since I made this thread 6 years ago?

Yes! Almost all of them near me are the new updated look! I don't care, but I think the older brighter more traditional yellow arch look would appeal to children more! It's kind of sad really that even Mc Donalds has to be trendy!

05-09-2011, 04:22 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,075	McDonald's Announces They Are Getting a "Starbucks-like" Makeover McDonald's To Look Like Starbucks 05/09/11 AP McDonald's is taking a cue from Starbucks and upgrading the look and feel of its stores, reports USA Today. The fast food giant has invested over $1 billion in remodeling its 14,000 U.S. franchises and hopes to have most of the facelifts complete by 2015. Jim Carras, senior vice president of domestic restaurant development for McDonald's explains that it is important to change with the times and to do faster than ever. Not only is the chain hoping to edge out rivals like Burger King and Wendy's but McDonald's also hopes to give Panera and Chipotle a run for their money as well. Simply put, "nicer-looking stores attract more business," as is proven by McDonald's newly redesigned Tampa branch, which has seen a double-digit sales boost in the past year. McDonald's sought inspiration from its outposts in France and Australia, which already have a sleeker, more modern feel. Additional inspiration has also come from the uber-sleek Apple stores. The "McRemodel" laundry list of changes includes: • nixing the red roofs • a focus on earth tones rather than red and yellow • no more fiberglass, no more steel chairs • more drive-through windows • getting rid of fluorescent lights • adding flat-screen TVs http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0...1_lnk3%7C61723

05-09-2011, 04:27 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	OK, McDonald's, and the point is...?
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-09-2011, 04:34 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Here's an idea. How about better food? Now that's a change they SHOULD be making!!!!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-09-2011, 08:24 PM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Get rid of the poisonous trans fat, for one. KFC did so, and while no one will ever mistake their food for health food, at least it's acknowledging how truly awful that stuff is. And it still tastes good! As far as the other stuff, sounds to me like they're going to try to remove most of their visual and architectural touchstones, which to me is a real pity. Seeing those golden arches meant something, just like the traditional caricature of Colonel Sanders meant something. They harkened back to the good times of our past, and it's usually a mistake to mess with those memories. Anybody remember "New Coke"?
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

05-10-2011, 07:52 PM	#12
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Why would a iconic restaurant chain with it's legendary golden arches and own sense of feel copy a...coffee chain? And if they make over their prices like Starbucks, they will lose mucho business because McD's and Starbucks the way I see it, are two different types of crowd demographic. Whatever happened to the time when businesses sought their own distinctive style to separate them from everyone else...?
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

05-09-2011, 08:13 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Somebody needs to tell McDonalds "If it aint broke, dont fix it" They are already making millions and will continue to do so.

05-10-2011, 03:51 PM	#10
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	^ Northern Illinois's still retro, too.

05-11-2011, 02:43 AM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Rich and Chris, you both make excellent points!

03-31-2017, 11:37 PM	#14
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,075	I know this is an older thread, but the McDonald's changes finally made its way to around me. A McDonald's near me completed its remodeling a few months ago and got rid of the "classic" look for a more "sleek" look. Before: After: Has anyone else noticed the McDonald's changes since I made this thread 6 years ago?