A McDonald's restaurant in California has been open for more than five decades without ever serving a single customer. The branch, located in the San Gabriel Valley, was built in 1978 with a $1 million budget, but it is not a functioning fast-food outlet.
Instead, the site is a dedicated filming location for McDonald's commercials and other projects. Known as the 'McStudio', it was designed as an exact replica of a regular McDonald's, but with higher ceilings to accommodate lighting equipment. The building also includes a dressing room and movable trees outside.
Before the purpose-built set was constructed, McDonald's had to pay franchisees up to $5,000 per day in lost sales to film on location. The McStudio has two working kitchens – one with standard McDonald's equipment and another with props for food stylists. Despite the facilities, the restaurant has never opened its doors to the public.
In 1988, Linda Magruder-Briggs, then advertising production manager, told the Los Angeles Times: 'We could be open for business tomorrow if we wanted.' By that time, over 1,000 commercials had already been filmed at the site. Its proximity to Hollywood makes it convenient for talent to access.
