WHY THIS MCDONALD'S, OPEN SINCE THE SEVENTIES, HAS NEVER SERVED A SINGLE CUSTOMER

Daily Mail

 

Why this McDonald's open since the 1970s has never served a single customer

By JACK TOLEDO

Updated: 11:04 EDT, 23 April 2026

 

A McDonald's in California has been somewhat open for more than 50 years without ever serving a customer.

 

Hungry folks who stumble upon what appears to be an ordinary outlet tucked away in the San Gabriel Valley's City of Industry would have to get past a ten-foot steel fence while being recorded by several security cameras, only to discover that no employees are there to take their order.

 

That is because the building is not exactly a restaurant but has instead been used as a filming location for countless McDonald's commercials.

 

In 1978, the McDonald's Production Center was built for $1 million, giving the fast-food chain a place to film without disrupting an actual restaurant's business, according to the Los Angeles Times.

 

Despite its appearance, the restaurant has notable differences that set it apart from your local McDonald's.

 

The outlet noted that the ceilings are slightly higher to easily accommodate lighting fixtures, and that the downstairs is equipped with a dressing room for talent.

 

Additionally, the trees outside are in movable planters, and the McDonald's sign itself can rotate in any direction.

 

Even the intimidating gates can be adjusted for filming, which the outlet said would, every now and then, result in customers rolling in and honking at the drive-thru for service.

 

Before the location was built, the company would have to pay a franchisee $5,000 per day in lost sales for using their restaurant to film, according to the outlet's 1988 report.

 

In addition to the classic McDonald's a customer would visit in the suburbs, there is another building which replicates one of the company's restaurants in a city setting, according to the SF Gate.

 

The filming site was chosen for its proximity to Hollywood and its talent and was available to movie productions for free.

 

However, while not serving customers, the mock McDonald's is still able to operate and serve its classic fast food.

 

There is a kitchen stocked with equipment, such as fryers and griddles, within the facility, according to Los Angeles Magazine.

 

Linda Magruder-Briggs, who was the advertising production manager for McDonald's, told the Times in 1988: 'We could be open for business tomorrow if we wanted.'

 

Roadside America noted that, over the years, the filming site has knocked down the model McDonald's to reflect the restaurants at the time.

 

The worldwide food chain opened in 1940, roughly in San Bernardino, 49 miles away from the production site.

 

According to McDonald's, it is the largest global foodservice retailer, with over 44,000 locations in more than 100 countries.