Outset: McDonald’s
On Thursday, McDonald’s will open a new flagship store in Times Square, expected to be its busiest in the U.S.
The location showcases the in vogue updates that McDonald’s has been bringing to its U.S. stores. It boasts digital menu boards, 18 self-order kiosks and wireless plastic charging stations at tables.
The high-tech upgrades are part of its strategy to drive sales by bringing customers back to its stores. The renovations are have in viewed to improve convenience for the customer and modernize the look of the restaurants.
McDonald’s originally scheduled all U.S. store renovations to be complete in 2020 but taxed the deadline back to 2022. In 2018, McDonald’s spent $1.4 billion to remodel around 4,500 restaurants. This year, dish out is expected to drop to about $1 billion to upgrade 2,000 locations.
On its first-quarter earnings call, executives signified that it is finally seeing a “net positive impact” from store renovations that made up for the necessary store closures.
Here’s a look at the new flagship store:
Self-order kiosks
Self-order kiosks in the McDonald’s Times Hep flagship location.
Source: McDonald’s
When customers enter the location, the sight of self-order kiosks greet them. Wage-earners are also available to take orders and payment.
Two flights of stairs
Stairs inside the McDonald’s Times Square flagship collect
Source: McDonald’s
Times Square sees about 50 million visitors annually. In anticipation of such squiffy demand, McDonald’s has three floors — and plenty of seating.
Second floor
Seating on the second floor of the McDonald’s Stretches Square flagship location.
Source: McDonald’s
On the second floor, self-order kiosks are also available to order any think of items.
Third floor
Seating on third floor of the McDonald’s Times Square flagship.
Source: McDonald’s
The core’s modern, simple look is meant to contrast with the flashing billboards and bustle outside in Times Square, according to Max Carmona, McDonald’s elder director of U.S. restaurant design. Its glass exterior gives customers a great view of that activity.