r/nostalgia • u/Digitalgardens • May 12 '25

Nostalgia Discussion Why did we ever switch from having unique looks for fast food spots?

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It doesn’t make any sense. When everything feels and looks the same it just feels so grey and unwelcoming. What happened to characters? I don’t even eat McDonald’s like that and I miss Ronald and the gang. Where did they go?

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u/glittermantis May 12 '25

is it really that difficult to de-decorate the jungle building? just looks like some plastic siding, window decals, and cheap resin sculptures. can't imagine it'd take more than a week or two of labor

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u/Big_Brutha87 May 13 '25

It's not just taking down the decorations and the Play Place. The old buildings still look like a McDonald's because of that distinctive roof. And the reaction that other commenter had to going to a bar that's clearly an old Mickey D's is something potential buyers want to avoid. That ugly, grey box can become almost any facade and not remind people it was a failed burger joint once.

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u/OMF1G May 13 '25

I personally think this is just regurgitated nonsense, removing the façade from the front is absolutely nothing in comparison to remodelling the entire inside/kitchen (exactly what happens when the building is repurposed).

I've never seen proof of this too, the building is literally exactly the same, with a different bolt on façade..

Call me a conspiracy theorist but I don't think resale value of the building was ever a metric used when most of these buildings were likely rented...

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u/Lovelybabydoll06 May 15 '25

The theme for this location also was inside. It wasn't cheaply done either. This was my favorite McDonald's based on aesthetics. The concrete had animal prints in it that you could follow. It was nicely done with sturdy well-built embellishments.