Marco McDonald's makeover – Golden Arches gets new look, better access

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Stan Andrews, Dennis MacDonald, and Jim Frank say they will miss the "tiki" look, which is going away. The McDonald's on Collier is undergoing major renovations, but will remain open throughout.

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

Stan Andrews, Dennis MacDonald, and Jim Frank say they will miss the "tiki" look, which is going away. The McDonald's on Collier is undergoing major renovations, but will remain open throughout. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

Joe Carroll heads out with his meal.

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

Mimi Isme works in the kitchen filling orders. The McDonald's on Collier is undergoing major renovations, but will remain open throughout.

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

Mimi Isme works in the kitchen filling orders. The McDonald's on Collier is undergoing major renovations, but will remain open throughout. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

The McDonald's on Collier is undergoing major renovations, but will remain open throughout. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent The McDonald's on Collier is undergoing major renovations, but will remain open throughout.

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

Mimi Isme works in the kitchen filling orders. The McDonald's on Collier is undergoing major renovations, but will remain open throughout. Lance Shearer/Eagle Correspondent

Photo by LANCE SHEARER // Buy this photo

Jose Bueno of ARC Construction makes a cut in the pavement.

MARCO ISLAND — The "tiki look" at McDonald's is history. "We're doing a total renovation," said Mike Adams, co-owner of Adams and O'Reilly, the McDonalds' franchisee that owns 20 restaurants in Southwest Florida, including the one on Collier Blvd. on Marco Island. "The tiki décor is on its last few days."

It has been 10 years since his company invested significantly in the Marco Island location, said Adams.

"We're totally renovating – seating, interior, new finishes in the restrooms. We try to upgrade periodically, keeping up with the times." The dining room will be closed for two to three weeks starting on Monday, if all goes according to plan, he said. The total makeover is expected to cost about $300,000 – $600,000, although, "when you're talking remodeling, there are a lot of variables." The contractor is C.T. Earle of Tampa.

The drive-through has been reworked to make it a "tandem," said Adams. "We have two menu boards, and two speakers, so we can accommodate two vehicles at the same time." The drive-throughs will be open while the dining room is closed for the interior renovations, he said.

The distinctive Polynesian interior has lent an island flair to the Marco McDonald's, with a setting appropriate for a luau. Booths are tricked out with faux bamboo and chickee hut roofs, and tiki carvings, spears, and plastic alligators decorate the walls.

"We had a lot of fun with it," said Adams. The new look will be "contemporary, modern – forever young," he said, borrowing a line from Bob Dylan. New furniture will feature natural finishes. Flat screen TVs, new lighting and free wi-fi will encourage patrons to linger.

Marco Island McDonald's restaurant manager Nathalie Herrera-Carmona said she is "excited" about the new look, expecting it to be cleaner and brighter, and easier to maintain.

"But my regulars were sad to see the tiki look go," she admitted. The remodel will also do away with the children's "playland," replacing it with outdoor seating, and allowing for handicap parking to be closer.

Externally, the most noticeable element will be what Adams called the "eyebrow" or "swoosh," borrowing a little terminology from noted marketer Nike.