Big Mac with a side of quinoa? Inside the world's first McDonald's Next
By Alisha Haridasani
McDonald's has always been about consistency, speed and budget pricing.
Its Golden Arches can be neon beacons of hope in a strange land -- a place where you know you'll always get the exact burger and fries you are looking for, followed by pangs of guilt the next day.
But in Hong Kong, 40 years after the chain first entered the territory, signs of change glimmer on the greasy fast food horizon.
In December, McDonald's transformed one of its Hong Kong branches into the world's first McDonald's Next -- an evolved version of the brand that strives to be "modern and progressive."
Quinoa, coffee and ambient lighting
Gone are the red-and-yellow color palette and harsh lighting.
In their place a sleek black-and-white logo, ambient lighting, glass and metallic interiors and... a salad bar.
The unlikely offering is filled with 19 ingredients including "two choices of salad base greens, two kinds of cheese, three flavors of sauces" and -- of course -- quinoa.
Additionally, McDonald's Next is trying to elevate the overall fast food experience with table service after 6 p.m. and premium coffee blends.
The branch, located in the city's Admiralty neighborhood, has also been fitted out with mobile phone charging platforms, free Wi-Fi and self-ordering kiosks.
McDonald's did not respond to CNN's request for info on why Hong Kong was chosen as the first location for their new concept and whether they will be opening new Next restaurants in other cities.