McDonald's fans, take note: The ubiquitous burger chain opened a restaurant on the first floor of its Chicago headquarters on Wednesday that will feature McDonald's menu items typically only available by flying around the world. Eater reports that the Chicago location will offer international menu items, such as bacon fries from Australia or a McFlurry from Brazil. The new restaurant will offer an ever-changing menu of rare international cuisine inspired by menus from around the globe, a first for the franchise.
Eater further notes that a McDonald's headquarters location is about to open in Chicago's trendy West Loop. To blend in with its bustling restaurant scene, the fast-food chain is ramping up its efforts, opening Latin American-style dessert centers and staffing full-time baristas to prepare specialties like the Australian Flat White and other McCafé drinks. under. According to The Record, the first menu will include two salads served in France, including the popular Manhattan salad and matza salad, a spicy chicken McSandwich from Hong Kong, and the Mighty Angus Burger from Canada. Eater noted that the global menu items (which rotate every few months or so) will be available alongside McDonald's typical local American fare, such as Happy Meals, Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets.
Ann Wahlgren, McDonald's vice president of global menu strategy, told CBS Chicago that the chain will "bring you not just the local favorites you love, but delicious, delicious options from around the world." Menu offerings, brought exclusively to this restaurant.”
McDonald's chief spokesman Robert Gibbs told Eater that "everything we've done over the past few years to modernize the brand is reflected in this restaurant." However, Gibbs also said that the chain may It won't be expanding its global offerings to other U.S. locations, so you may still have to travel a little to experience them.
According to the Chicago Tribune , the Fulton Market McDonald's "is one of the company's modern 'Experience of the Future' locations, featuring ordering kiosks, table service and curbside pickup." The Tribune further reported, While the new store is an example of the Golden Arches' efforts to keep up with changing times and demands, this new location was built without the usual drive-thru service. However, Eater noted that customers will be able to order using a mobile app, and the upcoming 6,000-square-foot restaurant will offer table service. The tables will also offer inductive charging for mobile devices, allowing customers to touch-charge via compatible phones.
If you have ever studied abroad, or have friends who have studied abroad, the story of foreign McDonald’s may be old hat to you. McDonald's international products are beloved not just because you can't get them all the time, but because many times, you have access to different ingredients and flavor combinations—a surprising discovery, to say the least, at McDonald's .
"As part of our new headquarters, we want to offer customers an exciting way to experience our global menu in Chicago," McDonald's President and CEO Steve Easterbrook told the New York Post . "We're excited to showcase McDonald's flavors from around the world, making this a one-of-a-kind experience for Chicagoans to enjoy with friends and family."
So while you don't have to fly to Hong Kong to find out what the Mac's crispy chicken sandwich tastes like there, or fly to France to try the mozzarella salad, you may need to head to Chicago. The futuristic new McDonald's global menu isn't likely to appear anywhere else in the U.S. — so if you're craving a taste of Brazilian Prestigio McFlurry stateside, check out the new West Loop location stats.
