It seems that burger joints don’t want to look like burger joints anymore.
In newly designed restaurants being rolled out by Wendy’s, McDonald’s and others, flat-screen TVs, art-deco furniture, ambient lighting, hardwood floors and muted colors are replacing industrial plastic tables, steel swivel chairs and linoleum flooring.
As more customers gravitate to fast-casual restaurants such as Panera, Chipotle and Starbucks – all of which have modern designs that generally are heavy on natural-look materials – other fast-food chains are following suit.
The move is part of a growing trend to refocus on adult diners who grew up on a restaurant chain’s food but don’t want to settle down to dinner in a setting designed for kids.