Designed To Slow You Down

(From The Associated Press -- By Dave Carpenter)

Just outside its wooded headquarters campus in OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS, McDONALD's CORPORATION is offering sneak previews of its fast-food future.

Now playing at its new flagship restaurant -- digital-media kiosks for burning CDs, downloading cellphone ring tones and printing photos. Dozens of plasma-screen TVs. Wi-Fi Internet access. New chicken sandwiches. Double-lane drivethrus. And an adjoining McCafe with gourmet coffees, fancy pastries and a fireplace.

Coming soon -- other menu items and concepts not yet released to a general audience.

Don't expect STARBUCKS-like makeovers such as this one at the 13,600 U.S. McDONALD's, or 30,000-plus worldwide; THE OAK BROOK RESTAURANT, which opened late last month, doubles as a public restaurant and a test site. But the world's largest restaurant chain is tinkering with possibilities in technology and design to try to ensure that it is a hangout of choice in the future.

Designed To Slow You Down