McDonald’s in the 1970s had a faux flower, red brick vibe that we miss tremendously when visiting the sleek, tech-forward chains of today. So why don’t we take a trip down memory lane? From drive-thrus filled with muscle cars to birthday bashes in party rooms, these snapshots from the golden era of the Golden Arches remind us just how much has changed — and how much we wish we could go back.
1. The Drive-Thru
From the old school logo and hanging basket to the huge windows and muscle cars, this drive-thru is clearly from another era, long before today’s “pull ahead to Spot 3” shenanigans after being forced to listen to the automated spiel asking you if you have an in-app order. Send us back to those simpler times.
2. The Menu in 1970
We don’t know about you, but we could definitely use a 12-cent Coca-Cola and a 49-cent double cheeseburger. Although we will say that the price of the burger is at least in line with the inflated cost, and the Coke used to be affordable before McDonald’s took away our beloved $1 soft drinks.
3. You’ve Gotta Write It Down
In the 1970s, the cash register didn’t communicate with the folks making the food, so the cashier taking customers’ orders had to write everything down as a traditional server would to convey the orders to the kitchen.
4. The Place To Be
This ’70s McD’s was hoppin’! Tons of outdoor seating accommodated troves of burger-loving customers who came to gather with friends and families the way the average family does at a sit-down restaurant today. Also, shoutout to the van in this picture which screams “1970s” in the best possible way.
5. Big Mac Attack
The Big Mac was first introduced in 1967, so it was pretty much a big deal throughout the 1970s, and there were plenty of advertisements promoting the stacked burger.
6. Fine Dining, Fast-Food Style
The interiors of the Golden Arches’ franchises used to embrace ambiance with artificial flowers, stone walls, and wrought iron chairs, fooling patrons into thinking they were eating somewhere a bit more upscale.
7. Ronald Putting in Work
Ronald McDonald wasn’t merely a mascot in the ’70s — sometimes the clown clocked in to help behind the counter. You’ll never see that these days, though, because the fast-food chain axed Ronnie from its marketing campaigns.
8. The Styrofoam Containers
Today’s environmentally aware folks would clutch their humanely-harvested pearls at the thought of Styrofoam containers and cups at McDonald’s, which the chain did away with in 1990.
9. Those Uniforms!
The 1970s McDonald’s uniforms gave us slight candy striper vibes, especially with the nurse-like caps workers wore.
10. Ronald McDonald Was Terrifying
You can’t tell us that this Ronnie wasn’t best buds with Pennywise. Not with that creepy smile.
11. McDonald’s Breakfast Ad
We know plenty of folks still love a good, greasy McDonald’s breakfast, but this spread from the ’70s looks a lot more appealing than the stuff on today’s menus.
12. We’d Cry Too
Seriously, what is up with how scary Ronald McDonald was in the 1970s?
13. Employee Party at McDonald’s in California
In the 1970s, McDonald’s took the time to appreciate its employees, giving them paper Ronald McDonald hats to sport during their party. Because who doesn’t want that experience at McDonald’s?
14. 9 Billion Burgers Served
This isn’t even displayed on the Golden Arches anymore because the number has gotten so colossal it can’t be counted. There are reports, however, that the chain sells around 6.5 million burgers every day.
15. The First Big Remodel
The 1970s marked a move from the traditional golden arch design to brick buildings with sloping roofs.
16. The Olympic Medals Game
Well before Monopoly made its mark on McDonald’s marketing, the 1976 Olympic Medals game caused quite the frenzy. It effectively got everyone to watch the summer games with bated breath to see if they’d win a prize.
17. Those Pies Have Our Mouths Watering
These bad boys look like they are loaded with real, luscious fruit encased in a perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust.
18. Doing Hard Time at Mickey D’s
Outdoor playgrounds at McDonald’s are but a distant, nostalgic memory of being behind the bars of a hamburger jail.
19. The Party Room!
McDonald’s was once the cool spot to have a birthday party, and they hosted so many of them that they had dedicated party rooms (sometimes with super creepy themes).
Want more nostalgic content?
Go back in time and Relive the ’90s With These 20 Classic Photos. You should also check out 11 Photos of School Lunch Menus Over the Years and The Most Expensive Chain Restaurants You’ll Want To Try at Least Once in Your Life.
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