Regional McDonald's Architecture

Here in New Mexico some of the new McDonalds are made in adobe or other SW style - no golden arches at all!!!

In other parts of the US. have they also adapted the design to "fit in"?

quote:

Originally posted by NYNM


In other parts of the US. have they also adapted the design to "fit in"?

Oh, sure. They build them to fit within the local design codes. In one town here their stores are brick with no indication, other than the name on a small sign, that it's a McDonald's. They do that sort of thing all over so as to fit in and not disturb the locals.

While I haven't yet observed differences in building design, I have noticed (as Mr. Hoffman did ) that some signage on fast-food joints is very small. Clearly, some municipalities are more strict with signage regulations than others.

In Freeport, Maine, I can recall seeing a McDonald's that occupied the lower level of a charming old white clapboard-covered home. The seating area was sort of like a covered porch area if I recall correctly. And, the signage there was so small that it was very easy to drive past the place without knowing that it was a McDonald's location. It has been a number of years since I was in Freeport, so I cannot say for sure if the establishment still exists at that location.

A few in Manhattan at times have a uniformed doorman.

McDonald's like most franchises adapt to local wishes only begrudgingly. They would rather maintain their corporate trade dress and prototypes. It's not something they routinely do to be good neighbors or fit in. The oft cited Freeport McDonald's was the result of a lengthy battle between them and the municipality. One notable exception is Dunkin Donuts which has the widest variety of style and architecture I've seen among any chain. If there are tasteful signs, it's due soley to strict and enforced sign codes of the municipality.

quote:

Originally posted by RC51Mike

McDonald's like most franchises adapt to local wishes only begrudgingly. They would rather maintain their corporate trade dress and prototypes. It's not something they routinely do to be good neighbors or fit in. The oft cited Freeport McDonald's was the result of a lengthy battle between them and the municipality. One notable exception is Dunkin Donuts which has the widest variety of style and architecture I've seen among any chain. If there are tasteful signs, it's due soley to strict and enforced sign codes of the municipality.

This is a bit off-topic, but I feel that it has to be said--so here goes:

Dunkin Donuts also has highly variable coffee. While some locations serve very good coffee, there are several that I have patronized that served coffee so bad that I poured it down the closest sewer after leaving the store.

The coffee beans that they receive from their corporate supplier are probably very good, but if the local franchisee chooses to use too little coffee and too much water, you wind up with the dishwater that I have been served in far too many Dunkin Donuts. And, of course, if they don't dispose of it every 20 minutes or so (as they are supposed to do), then it gets even worse. As a result, I AVOID Dunkin Donuts unless I know from past experience that a particular location serves drinkable coffee.

I can ignore the "architecture" of a Dunkin Donuts store, but I can't ignore the crappy quality of the coffee that I have been served on far too many occasions. And, e-mails to the corporate level do not even garner a response.

A few years ago I saw that the McDonald's in Berne, Indiana (or one of those Amish towns along US 27), had Swiss decor outside, such as a brown railing on the roof.

Chains deviate from prototypical designs for several reasons.

1. Local building officials get it by extortion with the approval vote and delays or by local zoning restrictions and design requirements.

2. Developers create a theme design that all parties buy into and alter designs to meet it (such as a Southwest theme, Colonial theme, urban contemporary, etc.)

3. Chains will upgraded designs and integrate designs voluntarily depending on the community if it will increase ROE. That is mostly in upscale communities or strongly themed communities so they will not stick out like a sore thumb or look too cheap. This third option is done more than you realize in a competitive market.

In a sense chains do want to "stick out like a sore thumb." That's what they believe makes them more visible in a see of commercial development. And no chain thinks it's design "looks too cheap." Some chains do voluntarily vary their designs but in my experience, the overwhelming majority do not.

quote:

Originally posted by kozel

A few in Manhattan at times have a uniformed doorman.

Yes, the one on lower Broadway (near WTC) has a grand piano, although I've never heard anyone playing it......

I've noticed that some of the McDonald's on the Cape have that "beachy", "shingled" look to them. They have to stay within certain colors when decorating as to blend in with the rest of the businesses.

Did anyone know that the guy who used to play Ronald McDonald was a vegetarian? That's got to be one of the most ironic pieces of trivia ever!

In Miami's historical South Beach district we saw fast food places with art deco designs and neon lighting, and in Hawaii there are sections that must have turn of the century New England missionary style storefronts representing the old whaling days. It is local zoning requirements, they're not trying to fit in at these places.

the McD's I believe it is in Frankenmuth, MI has german style architecture, and menus in german.

I love the retro looking McD's (50's style)

quote:

Originally posted by RC51Mike

In a sense chains do want to "stick out like a sore thumb." That's what they believe makes them more visible in a see of commercial development. And no chain thinks it's design "looks too cheap." Some chains do voluntarily vary their designs but in my experience, the overwhelming majority do not.

I only spoke as an architect and a former major corporate insider helping to make the decisions, but then again what do I know?

quote:

Originally posted by Davydd

quote:

Originally posted by RC51Mike

In a sense chains do want to "stick out like a sore thumb." That's what they believe makes them more visible in a see of commercial development. And no chain thinks it's design "looks too cheap." Some chains do voluntarily vary their designs but in my experience, the overwhelming majority do not.

I only spoke as an architect and a former major corporate insider helping to make the decisions, but then again what do I know?

Urban planner for twenty-five years, dealing with nearly every chain in existence. But then again what do I know?

You both know more than I. The collective knowledge of the people who post here never fails to impress me.

In Sedona, AZ the "Golden Arches" are only on the exterior of the building (no free standing sign) and are Oxide-Copper Green!

There is one in Davie (Horse Country), FL.. which is a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale.
The code in that town is western themed, and that particular McDonalds has horse tie ups....Never seen a horse saunter thru the drive thru, but I am sure it has happened.

our mickey's became a bank. Not really what the hippies thought would happen by driving them out of town.
the drive thru permit was the valuable object.

quote:

Originally posted by Foxyfishy14

I've noticed that some of the McDonald's on the Cape have that "beachy", "shingled" look to them. They have to stay within certain colors when decorating as to blend in with the rest of the businesses.

Did anyone know that the guy who used to play Ronald McDonald was a vegetarian? That's got to be one of the most ironic pieces of trivia ever!

The one on rt 132 in Hyannis I don't think has a beachy atmosphere

I like the one in Times Square in Manhattan, its got all the glitzy lights and is very different from the average Mickey's

quote:

Originally posted by Poverty Pete

You both know more than I. The collective knowledge of the people who post here never fails to impress me.

I am a cunning linguist, but what do I know?

The McDonald's around San Antonio look like the majority of them do all over the country.There used to be a chain called Sombrero Rosa,that served mexican food,and their buildings all had a big concret hat on top,and were painted a rose pink color.
Taco Cabana a San Antonio chain tends to build their places like an adobe building and gives them a colorful exterior paint job.

The outside architecture at the free standing McD's around here in central Ohio is rarely variable..ony difference is a few restaurants still have the old design and color scheme but now most have the red and yellow scheme with plastic-like siding that looks like a huge Lego creation. The insides though vary considerably, which was not the case so much for McD's in the past. The closest one to me has a "50s rock and roll" theme to it and actually has a 59 corvette inside, embedded in an island wall! Some have large Playlands..some indoor, some outdoor. The store near a large shopping center (Easton) used to have a Juke Box..and the one in Easton, which is not really free standing but in a block of stores, has a large play area similar to those seen in malls..and a very large photo of the downtown Columbus skyline is on a wall.

I "like" (??) the one in Heidelberg Germany, right at the market square and in the famous "Zum Ritter" building (a medieval home). Talk about incongrous!. (But it does serve beer - of course)..
And very popular (of course)...

The one at Downtown Disney at WDW is pretty cool and HUGE! Lots of seating inside and out. The menu seems to offer more choices than we get at home, but that may be a regional thing. At home I usually do the drive-thru at McDonald's; it's a lot easier for me. None of the McD's around here (Philly area) are too different architecturally that I have noticed.