McDonald's is bringing back colorful PlayPlaces for kids
McDonald’s is spending $8.5 billion over the next decade to remodel its restaurants, and in a nostalgic nod to the 1990s, colorful jungle gyms are making a comeback. According to the fast-food giant, its future restaurants will feature upgraded PlayPlaces, brighter dining rooms and more open kitchens as it tries to make its locations feel more like places people actually want to hang out.
The PlayPlace is getting its comeback tour
McDonald’s says its revamped restaurants will feature bright, colorful play areas with jungle gyms, slides and interactive activities. One of the new concepts even includes a “McMini Crew” activity board, where kids can pretend they’re working behind the counter.
What isn't clear yet is how widely the new PlayPlaces will roll out. McDonald’s has not said how many locations will get them or whether restaurants without existing PlayPlaces will also receive them.
Parents have been asking for this for years
PlayPlaces were once a huge part of the McDonald’s experience. The first prototype appeared at a restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1971 and the colorful indoor playgrounds eventually became a familiar sight at locations across the country.
Then the pandemic happened. McDonald’s closed PlayPlaces in March 2020 for public health reasons. At many locations, they never reopened.
Instead, the playgrounds disappeared while restaurant designs became increasingly minimalist. The result is lots of gray surfaces and digital ordering kiosks coupled with the general atmosphere of a place where you go in, tap a screen and leave.
That definitely did not pass people by unnoticed. In a post on X, someone argued that McDonald’s could win parents back simply by bringing back the playgrounds. That post had a lot of attention, racking up 6.5 million views.
McDonald’s is spending money on more than just playgrounds
The PlayPlace revival is only one part of a much larger plan. McDonald’s has revealed that the $8.5 billion investment will run through 2036, with around $5 billion expected to be spent through 2030. The money will cover restaurant remodels, technology upgrades, operational improvements and other support for franchisees.
According to the company, restaurant expansion could contribute about 2.5% of systemwide sales growth in 2027 and roughly 2% by 2030. And the “Make it Golden” strategy is estimated to give its roughly 2 million employees more training, tools and support to improve food and customer service.
Source: New York Post
