Not that I'm a huge fan of McDonalds, but I admire the fact that it is a company that's not afraid of changing, adapting, evolving and moving towards the future. Soon after the Supersize Me movie, it started to offer healthier alternatives and was the first to indicate the nutrition value of all their meals and some branches are now recycling as well. In Europe, interiors of the McDonald chains are moving to the modern side. Shh an architectural, design and branding company in the UK created three modern McDonalds restaurants in the UK : a flagship store on Oxford street, an outlet in the Chapelfield shopping center in Norwich and another one in West Thurrock.
Flagship Restaurant in Oxford
The flagship restaurant located on Oxford street includes a teenage 'bar' dining area, TV screens, internet and gaming points. It makes sense considering the fact that in an urban location, teenagers are more likely to go there. If only the one in the Byward Market (Ottawa) could look like this (*sigh*). There are beautiful glass stairs leading to the second floor. I love the way they integrated the colors of McDonalds (yellow and red) in a modern way. I imagine it's a nice hang out spot for teenagers if they don't over do it. 
Norwich outlet
In Norwich, the design of the flagship restaurant was adapted for a mall. I think they did a really good job. Instead of the typical square counter they made it round and bright white so the red and yellow really stand out. I love the red tiled wall in behind the booth and the large white u-shaped counter. It looks like an ideal place for kids. The booths on the other side of the red glass panels are a bit off to me. I love their shape and the idea, but I don't get the color (a bit old compared to the rest of the space). Perhaps it has to do with the mall rather than the McDonalds. 
West Thurrock outlet
For the West Thurrock restaurant, a freestanding drive-though restaurant, they went on a slightly different direction using accents of wood and a bit of orange (mixing the yellow and red from the brand's color... smart!). This space is a bit more serious. Apparently very popular with families, it includes an "optomusic pod", an interactive kids' game zone and internet stations. I love the pendant lights randomly placed above the seating area. Notice how the height of the booth increases at it gets closer to the area where people can order their food to give them more privacy (clever). The long red benches look like sofas, which make them inviting for groups. You can see why families would be inclined to come eat there. I love the lines they create in the space. Notice how even the shade of the chosen wood veneer match the McDonald colors: mixing the signature red and yellow to get that orange tint. The chairs use in this space evoke classic mid-century modern chairs such as the Ant Chair, Eames rocker. 
I really hope fast food chains around here open up to modern design. Because what we get so far looks more like this :(
Modern design shouldn't only be for expensive restaurants. Right?
source: designdeinteriores, shh
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