McDonald’s has launched its first-ever “on the go” prototype restaurant in Los Angeles, eliminating dine-in service entirely. Instead of a traditional lobby, the location focuses on speed with a dedicated drive-thru lane, a mobile order pickup window, and lockers for delivery pickups.
This innovation means delivery drivers from partner apps now retrieve orders from lockers rather than counters, streamlining operations. While delivery lockers are already popular internationally, this marks their U.S. debut.
The concept reflects evolving consumer habits, especially post-pandemic. One X user, McFranchisee, speculated that Los Angeles was chosen because drive-thru sales dominate in the area. Another franchisee supported the shift, citing the pandemic’s impact on dine-in demand.
If successful, this could redefine the McDonald’s experience nationwide.