It's well known that America has an obesity problem, in part thanks to the average American loving quick and affordable (yet not very healthy) fast food. However, if the option to purchase unlimited fries being offered at one McDonald's in Missouri catches on, America's obesity problem is about to get a whole lot worse.

A 6,500-square-foot "McDonald's of the Future" just opened up in St. Joseph, Mo. on Aug. 4, and so far, customers are swarming the location to see what the fuss is all about. In addition to the ability to buy an unlimited number of the fast food company's signature french fries, self-serve kiosks allow customers to fully customize their orders. Employees will then bring meals to customers at their table. More than 100 employees have been hired to staff the restaurant.

The restaurant also includes a distinctly modern decor, completely furnished with couches, flowers and tabletop video games. It looks high-class in a way that McDonald's has never looked before. Did we mention it's gigantic? A massive playground for kids and a private party room are also part of the restaurant.

This fancy new McDonald's will serve as a way for the company to test out "future innovations" in the coming years, the first of which appears to be an option for unlimited fries. No word yet on what other "innovations" the fast food chain has in store, but breakfast-all-day and self-serve kiosks are just a few of innovations to have arrived at McDonald's locations nationwide in recent years.

So, what are the chances that unlimited fries will roll out to all McDonald's locations? Hard to say, though it likely will depend, at least in part, on how popular the promotion is at the St. Joseph restaurant location. If unlimited fries proves to be a big seller and attracts more customers to come to the restaurant (who, in turn, spend more money), it wouldn't be surprising if more locations across the country started offering something similar. The chances of each and every restaurant in the country having the ability to sell unlimited fries, however, doesn't seem likely.

It would probably also lead to early heart attacks for more than a few Americans. Like mentioned above, America's obesity problem is a serious one, and it's not just because of eating unhealthy food. Larger portions and super-sized combos are also a major contributor to America's weight problem, and there's nothing more super-sized than never-ending buckets of McDonald's french fries.

Photo: EvelynGiggles | Flickr

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