In Sweden, McDonald's is catering to the growing numbers of electric car drivers by turning its classic Golden Arches restaurant signs into signposts letting people know where they can charge their vehicles.

The company has charging stations at 55 restaurants in the country, making it the largest restaurant chain for electric car charging. Ultimately it wants to offer the service at every drive-thru restaurant. Responding to a survey in which 48 per cent of people said it was difficult to find out where charging stations were located, McDonald's is now making them even more prominent.

Created via agency Nord DDB, the first signs have been installed by McDonald's restaurants in Mjölby and Munkedal. In addition to the current price for charging, the signs also display the prices of Big Macs and Happy Meals, gas-station style.

"McDonald's has a strong history of being involved in the development of charging infrastructure along Sweden's roads," said Christoffer Rönnblad, marketing director at McDonald's Sweden in a statement. "More and more people are choosing to travel by electric vehicles, and we want to be a part of this trend by inspiring good choices. Our sign is a new and fun take on a classic way of doing just that."

Alexandra Jardine writes for Crain's sister publication Ad Age.