McDonald’s announces ‘McDonald’s to Go’ takeaway restaurant – its first new format since drive-thru The restaurant confirmed to i the concept could be rolled out across the UK in the coming years

McDonald’s UK is trialling its first new format restaurant since introducing drive-thru outlets in the 1980s.



“McDonald’s to Go” will operate under the new name, and will offer a “reduced menu of freshly prepared products” available to take away only.

Core items such as McNuggets and Big Macs will be the point of focus, and customers will only be able to order on new, smaller touch screens.

Starting on Fleet Street

The company said the restaurant, on Fleet Street, London, has been designed with commuters and passing trade in mind, and its opening hours will “reflect the needs of that customer base.”

The restaurant will also look different to standard sites, with updated branding, and staff will wear new uniforms.

Senior vice president for development and IT at McDonald’s, Henry Trickey, said: “It’s an exciting but challenging time to be in the restaurant sector.

“Changing tastes, new technology and more competition mean we need to continue to focus on investing in what matters most to our customers.

“We know that ‘one size doesn’t fit all’ and that’s exactly why we are launching McDonald’s to Go – to allow us to trial different formats in different locations, depending on customer needs.”

Mr Trickey added: “In Fleet Street, where city workers are looking for something quick to grab on the go, it makes sense to test a smaller format – no seating and takeaway only with a reduced menu will allow us to focus on speed of service. However, the next McDonald’s to Go could look very different.”

Potential to be rolled out

While London is an obvious first step for McDonald’s as it looks to evolve, McDonald’s to Go stores won’t be confined to the capital.

A spokeswoman told i: “We’re going to see what the customer reaction is like, and it will of course depend on if this format is appropriate for different locations – but in theory, if it proves a success, then we’ll be looking at where a ‘McDonald’s to Go’ might work elsewhere.”

McDonald’s added that it remains completely committed to its original restaurant brand, which has been on British high streets now for 45 years.

The company added the new concept is only the latest phase in the business’ ongoing investment strategy as it looks to develop its “restaurant experience”.