As the most popular fast food chain in the world, McDonald’s operates nearly 37,000 restaurants around the world and most of them look pretty much exactly the same. Same decor, same furniture, same layout, same greasy smell … you know what we mean. And normally, the term “fancy” doesn’t really resonate well with the brand.
But this specific restaurant is not quite like the others. The Freeport McDonald’s in Maine was built in a 168-year-old colonial mansion that was once owned by William Gore, a prominent merchant in the town, and not surprisingly, it’s the only McDonald’s in the small town. Built in 1850, the building was converted into Freeport’s only McDonald’s in 1984.
According to Business Insider, the town of Freeport has “strict building design codes,” and McDonald’s wanted to place a restaurant in the middle of a residential zone. Initially, Freeport’s few residents were not happy about the construction, but Freeport gave McDonald’s the go-ahead to remodel the Gore House, only if it maintained the town’s aesthetic.
”What we are doing there is something we probably have never done before in terms of design and the amount of time and effort involved,” manager of McDonalds’ media relations Stephen Leroy shared, in 1984. ”We are willing to spend the money to make it compatible with the area, the history, the community and the people who live there.”
The dining room is fitted out with proper wooden dining tables and chairs, fancy plants and traditional blinds, but the drink machines and condiment area are what give it away to being McDonald’s.
If the layout isn’t fancy enough for you, along with the typical nugget meal, this McDonald’s also sells lobster rolls.
