McDonald's Restaurant Opens Business Center

A T L A N T A,   July 19 -- In this case, new and improved doesn't quite tell the story.

A faux fireplace, an antique mirror and clock, drapery window treatments, and a Queen Anne chair: Not your typical McDonald's décor, but that's what you'll find at a completely revamped 24-hour McDonald's restaurant in Atlanta.

To make it more desirable in its upscale neighborhood, Micky D's last week opened a prototype restaurant in Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood fully equipped with a glass-enclosed business center.

"It's really for the business clientele," says Sonji Thomas, an operations manager with the company. "At this McDonald's you could make a phone call, check your e-mail and eat a hamburger at the same time."

Upscale Customer Base

The first of its kind in the fast-food industry, the restaurant boasts a wrought iron-lined staircase leading to mezzanine-level seating, where there's free access to a telephone, fax machine and Internet-connected computer. The business center boasts three 20-inch televisions perpetually tuned televisions tuned to 24-hour news and finance channels.

"It looks very residential," says McDonald's spokeswoman Martha Hunt. "It looks like a little living room setting right in the middle of the restaurant."

The antique office furnishings include a bookcase stocked with business and finance journals as well as stock market reference books. The posh eating area is also fashioned with a mock fireplace and mantle topped with an antique mirror, clock and candlesticks. The Queen Anne chair adds the finishing touch.

A mural featuring McDonald-land characters and scenes from downtown Atlanta embellish the main wall.

"The customer base is upscale," says Thomas, who came up with the idea for the chic setting. "When we're designing, we try to appeal to that customer base."

McDonald's hopes the makeover will invite local executives to power lunch over Big Macs and milkshakes.

No additional restaurants with executive décor are planned at this time.