Swanky McDonald's Locations Around the Globe

Who says McDonald’s isn’t a classy place to take a lady on a date? While conventional wisdom suggests that McDonald’s is at the bottom of the fine-dining totem pole, these three super-swanky McDonald’s locations prove that McDonalds coupons can in fact be the key to a very nice meal indeed for those lucky enough to live nearby.

            Number One Fancy Golden Arches Location: NY, NY

            This restaurant was designed by NY-based Studio Gaia to work with an “Urban Living” theme designed specifically for city locations. This store has a range of custom seating options from loungers to bar stools to banquettes, so diners are encouraged to sit down, stay awhile, and enjoy their meals they way they might in an upscale coffee shop – which is certainly unexpected from a bastion of the fast-food industry. With its light wood floors, artful wood ceiling, pendant lights, and streetscape artwork, this store is definitely more high-end restaurant than quick-service chain!

            Number Two Fancy Golden Arches Location: Porto, Portugal

            Porto’s Café Imperial is something of an architectural marvel, so when it was turned into a McDonald’s, controversy ensued. The former coffee house has been classified as a national monument, so McDonald’s has argued its heritage by restoring its historic features, including lovely stained-glass windows. McDonald’s has also put its distinctive stamp on the location, though, as evinced by the imperial-inspired McDonald’s sign outside and the chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling inside.

            Number Three Fancy Golden Arches Location: Holborn, UK

            French Interior designer Philippe Avanzi designed this McDonald’s location in 2006, and it’s a great place for jet-setters to use their McDonalds coupons. This store’s less-is-more aesthetic has a sleek contemporary look that has high-end designer furniture paired with rich textured surfaces of leather and timber. 

Coolest Job Ever: Dunkin Donuts Head Donut Dude

            What’s the coolest job in the world? There’s probably not one right answer, but Rick Golden’s job description comes pretty close. Rick is the Research and Development Manager for Dunkin Donuts Bakery, which means he’s responsible for creating the tasty treats you use your Dunkin Donuts coupons on!        

         Rick says his donut-creating team calls him the “Ambassador of Dunkin Donuts” and “Manager of Donut Excellence,” but he’s basically a donut-loving dude with a cool job.

         He started working in the original Dunkin Donuts location in Quincy, Massachusets when he was just 14 years old. From the store level, he moved up in the company and became an Operations manager and then donut baker before joining the company’s culinary team. He earned a degree in restaurant management while working his way up, but Rick thinks that the familiarity he gained with the brand from a young age got him to where he is today.

         Rick likes donuts because they make people smile. He says his research team seeks to make donuts that are first and foremost delicious but that are also simple enough that they can be replicated in individual stores.

         Rick also acknowledges that a lot of donut innovation comes from the people who use Dunkin Donuts coupons most – the customers often provide inspiration for baked creations. That gives me hope that, though I’m already ten years too old to get my foot in the door at Dunkin Donuts like Rick, I might still be able to make a splash in the donut world.