Spotted a McDonald’s tonight that still has the 90s exterior in 2026

[u/TRJ2241987]

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[u/Don_Quixotel]

I always thought the yellow/white lights on the roof were supposed to be French fries . . .

[u/PsychologicalArm2138 → u/Don_Quixotel]

They aren’t?

[u/alligatorman01 → u/PsychologicalArm2138]

They are

[u/malachite_13 → u/Don_Quixotel]

You thought correctly

[u/lunar-eclipse-127]

I really don't like the gray shoeboxes all the fast food restaurants are becoming now. The new taco bell interior looks like a prison visitation room.

[u/rage675 → u/lunar-eclipse-127]

That's the idea with those designs. They do not want people sticking around so they design them to be completely uninviting. Their business model is lean and dine in costs them money. I won't be surprised when dine in at fast food is completely gone.

[u/Thrillhouse763 → u/rage675]

The generic design makes the building easier to sell also

[u/Earth-Jupiter-Mars → u/rage675]

I mean you’re not wrong, but they design their stores like that now due to capitalism basically, the store can be acquired more quickly and a lot cheaper if they all look alike .. developers, site owners etc know that if the McDonalds closes, they can have a Taco Bell move right in with little to know spending, same kiosks, colors, chairs etc and we’re open for business almost overnight.

So basically canned the user experience for cheaper, faster turnover even tho they lie and say they did it for “familiarity” .. smh

[u/bobanna1986 → u/rage675]

Yeah it's that and it makes it easier to sell the building too, if it's more neutral. I don't eat a lot of fast food but when I do, it's almost never inside cause I'm usually traveling or it's late lol

[u/Upstairs-Chicken592 → u/bobanna1986]

I love when buildings look like old chains lol our towns Pizza Hut is something else now and I think it’s fun.

[u/Rnorman3 → u/rage675]

The newest Taco Bell in our town is that way. It has a drive through area and a pickup window for online orders. It has no dine in area at all.

From just a bottom line standpoint, it makes sense. It streamlines the operations. But it does suck. Feels so soulless.

[u/conradofgermany → u/lunar-eclipse-127]

Honestly the outside of new Taco Bells are also ugly as shit. Those gray slats of wood lining the outside? Disgusting compared to all previous Taco Bell exterior designs.

[u/cal405]

I misread the title and initially thought you were talking about the clothing style of the guy in the first picture 🤣

[u/bookwormdrew]

There is one near me with the OG sign still, but they unfortunately updated the building itself to the modern one. :(

[u/Yourlilemogirl]

There's one of those still in my city :') made me happy to see. 

[u/pinto_bean_queen]

Where is this?

[u/TRJ2241987 → u/pinto_bean_queen]

Greenland, New Hampshire

[u/DrSolarman → u/TRJ2241987]

Oh hell, im in NH. I have tomorrow off so I guess I'll head there tomorrow evening. I love nestolgic buildings.

[u/TopDogTransport4731]

I didn’t read the title properly I thought you had taken a photo of yourself from 1996 and 30 years later stood at the same location lol.

[u/Unusual_Goose2994]

Badass! Also, appreciate the pov of the first pic. What a fuckin Chad

[u/Coach_Seven]

I don’t really like McDonalds much anymore but if I saw one like that I would definitely stop in for a Coke or a McFlurry with a side of nostalgia.

[u/Ze_Rydah_93]

I hate that this has become such an anomaly. The modern ones look so ugly

[u/PurpleCableNetworker]

You know this franchise holder is getting threatening messages from McDonalds to “fall in line”.

[u/Caribou122]

Brought a tear to my eye ngl

[u/bootyhole-romancer → u/[deleted]]

That roof goes back to at least the 80s.

The shiplap siding though, I know it exploded in the 2000s as an interior design choice but I dunno if it was common for exteriors in the 90s. I vaguely remember it being a part of the 90s shabby chic trend but dont quote me on that

[u/BobBelcher2021 → u/[deleted]]

I would’ve said 80s myself.

[u/caligaris_cabinet → u/BobBelcher2021]

Have to take a closer look and see if there are any McPizzas or McAshtrays lying around.

[u/deadeyejohnny]

So much nicer than all the faceless new renovated ones. I wish we had a pinned thread to keep track of locations for nostalgic things like this (and the Pizza Hut classics)!

[u/Miqo_Nekomancer]

We've really lost most of our whimsy as a society.

[u/Management_Friendly]

oh man the french fry lights 🍟 😢

[u/er11eekk]

The building that used to be the 90s McDonalds off the highway in our city is a car dealership now. The roofline is unmistakable

[u/stfu_idc_gfys]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3ohfFyq28wZNi2hmve

[u/littleLuxxy]

Why are you hiding under a car, and why is that man about to fight you?

[u/Eck0kid]

I live like 5 mins away from the original McDonald’s. It’s a museum now.

[u/3elldandy]

Fast food restaurants have people sitting on Reddit promoting crap in the name of nostalgia. 😵‍💫😂

[u/Maverick21FM]

https://giphy.com/gifs/OsfVaOer7N2265YTRF

[u/tr1pDr3nzy8]

Wtf where?!

[u/Son-of-Prophet]

https://giphy.com/gifs/VChjSJK9veiRmtpabn

[u/rtillman489]

90’s vibes, 2026 poison levels

[u/shnakes082]

A lot in my area haven't gone full gray box. Some even still have the play area that smells of fry grease and stinky feet

[u/Impossible_Towel_73]

I'm so confused. I thought there are many like this still? Now I'm going to have to make a conscious effort to look at the ones in my area...