World’s oldest McDonald’s to get a drive-thru
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The world’s oldest, operational McDonald’s is in for a major upgrade.
A Downey, Los Angeles location, which originally opened in 1953, is getting a drive-thru window after over 60 years in business, reports FOX Los Angeles.
Though the restaurant retains a classic 1950s era look—with vintage signage, double golden arches and seating outside—the location has not been profitable for many years, according to McDonald’s corporate.
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On Wednesday, the restaurant submitted plans to the Downey Planning Commission, requesting permission to add a drive-through to the historic building’s infrastructure.
Aside from the absence of a drive-thru window, the Downey McDonald’s stands out from modern locations in several ways. The restaurant has a simple sign that says “hamburgers” protruding from a single golden arch, accompanied by “Speedee,” a neon-lit character in a chef’s hat from the 1950s winking at customers and passersby.
Drive-thrus have become an essential part of McDonald’s business, accounting for 65 percent of sales at locations across the U.S.