VISUAL PLAN: Exceptionally beautiful McDonald’s in Budapest closes – UPDATED with photos

As the final stage of its restaurant transformation programme, McDonald’s plans to close its restaurant in Nyugati Square for about six months. The fast food eatery in this frequented part of the Hungarian capital has several times been voted one of the most beautiful McDonald’s fast food restaurants in the world. The listed building will be rebuilt using special interior design elements and natural materials.

The building, located on the main wall shared with one of the architectural symbols of Budapest, the Nyugati Railway Station, is a historicist building, built in a mixture of neo-Renaissance and neo-Romanticism. These stylistic elements are still present in the restaurant today and will be retained after the renovation. However, the restaurant chain is preparing for a very 21st century dining experience, HellóMagyar writes.

The interior design is based on the McDonald’s RAY design concept, with unique mirrored glass surfaces, copper-clad lighting fixtures and a number of special but design-integrated furniture elements. All interior design elements will be made of real, natural materials: moulded terrazzo flooring and wood and copper cladding will be used. The decorative painting of the interior pillars will be done by a restorer.

Visual plan for the interior of the McDonald’s at Nyugati Square, Budapest, Hungary. Source: McDonald’s

An important element of the renovation is that the current staggered layout of the lobby part of the guest area will be redesigned. The staircase currently descending to the serving counter will be eliminated and this section of the lobby will be raised to the entrance floor level. Guests will have access to the gallery and mezzanine level via a staircase on either side.

The restaurant will feature a food conveyor belt, which will transfer products between the two levels of the kitchen in a unique way among domestic McDonald’s restaurants. The so-called transporter will go all the way up to the gallery level. Guests will also be able to track the products through a glass box.

As part of the digital upgrade, the restaurant will feature both touch-screen kiosks and traditional cash registers. Diners will be able to place their order using these methods, or via the MyMeki® mobile phone app, and even order directly to their table.

“In 2019, we announced our domestic growth strategy and started a dynamic development of the network. This strategy consists of two main elements: opening new restaurants and renovating existing ones in line with the “Experience of the Future” concept.

We are completing the latter element of the strategy with the complete renewal of one of the most important units of our chain in Hungary,”

said Zsolt Égi, Managing Director of Progress Restaurant Network Ltd. (Progress Étteremhálózat Kft.), which operates McDonald’s restaurants in Hungary.

During the closure of the Nyugati Square restaurant, the chain’s units in Westend, Oktogon and Jászai Mari Square will remain open.

McDonald’s at Nyugati Square in Budapest, Hungary. Source: Daily News Hungary

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