The McDonald’s franchise is opening up a new branch in the coastal Lebanese city of Batroun as part of what looks to be an aggressive expansion campaign.
The Batroun branch has been set at an old fashioned Lebanese house, completely renovated for this purpose, right on the main road.
The two-story house/restaurant’s interior is composed of state of the art equipment that contrast with the rustic exterior. I have to say, this is probably the most amazing McDonald’s restaurant in Lebanon, if not everywhere. It combines both tradition with the future.
But the question begs itself: how successful will this branch be in a city known for an overflow of restaurants that offer cheaper burgers and sometimes better food?
Don’t expect many outsiders to come to this branch. After all, other branches are only a ten minute drive away. This McDonald’s is for the people in Batroun, a not very populated city. Will the returns be enough to cover the cost? I doubt. It’s still a nice place to look at though.
Check out the pictures I took of the place while passing by:
A Separate State of Mind | A Blog by Elie Fares 
Gotta say I was disappointed to see this house ending up being a McDonald’s branch! such a beautiful heritage wasted like that 😦
They say they’re relying on their playground to attract families with kids, personally I predict failure …
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Many people expressed that sentiment as well. And I agree with that. I would have loved to own a house like that.
But for what it’s worth, as a McDonald’s branch, it’s quite out of the box, no?
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That was my dream house! couldn’t they wait few more years so I can buy it 😛
As for the idea, I think it’s a deja vu in Batroun with all the night clubs/restaurants that adopted the old house concept and ended up so far from success !!
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My dream house would be something similar in my village, 6 km from Batroun :p Much better weather.
I think the decision to make McDonald’s as such in Batroun is somewhat political. It’s sort of like a big ad to Gebran Bassil’s company, which renovates old Lebanese houses in the city.
And true regarding pubs and clubs. But I think they are successful. You cannot set foot in Batroun on Saturday 😛 I have to go through countless hidden streets to bypass the main street during the weekend.
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for the record I am from Bet Chlela where the weather is even much better 😛
Some of the night clubs (I cant remember the names) were relying on the beautiful old design and didnt work. I believe the success formula in Batroun is far from design… maybe politics (cant argue with that) !!
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I’m from Aabrine 😀
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This is definitely very interesting! I’m surprised that they would go to such lengths to “localize” this branch. It’s definitely a commendable initiative, but one that will probably not pay off in profit (as you said)! Batroun is known for its fish (right?)..
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Exactly. It sure feels local but will it pay off in the long run? I intend to think not. The market for such an investment to be successful is simply not there in Batroun.
The city is known for many food types and yes, fish is one of them. But you have much cheaper places around that offer bigger portions than McDs and with the economic level of the area not as high as other locations, people would easily prefer those other locations.
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no ur not really right..batroun is not known for fishes at all…it’s known for its nightlife with its nightclubs, pubs and restaurants…that Mc branch is far about 2km from the nightclubs street so that’s the big issue i think..now about the traditional house..this element let this branch be the 3rd Gold McDo world wide..that’s the most important point i think..
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I’m from Batroun and yes, it is known for fish. If you ask people not our age what their favorite places to eat at in Batroun, they would tell you “Le Marin” and “Jammal”, both fish-oriented restaurants.
The McD branch is at best 1 km away from night clubs. And besides, Batroun is a small city so distance doesn’t matter. I didn’t know about the 3rd Gold thing but I can see why. The architecture is nice. It is a waste of a great house, however.
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Dislike..they tried this in Aley(kept the same architectural stamp) did not know if that worked out for them bas seriously..feels weird..!
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I know a senior accountant who works for McD and he said the Aley Branch is their least profitable one.
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I think I like it. I mean, it has such a great look, totally suits Batroun. But I doubt it will be successful for one reason, I know we go to Batroun to experience its traditional food and different places to enjoy something “different” from Beirut’s typical franchises and places. I know Batroun is popular with us “outsiders” for the “Batroun feel”. If that makes sense. McDonalds is so accessible in Lebanon, I feel this place is going to be big for the locals only, like you said, and nobody else.
I know I will not go to McDonalds in Batroun – unless its after partying and a lot of alcohol lol, but the other places there are so much better.
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As I said, I doubt it’d be successful too. And McD after clubbing? I doubt :p
Even for the locals, I don’t see them frequenting this place a lot in the long run. They have better options available for them when it comes to food.
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Yes Batroun is known for fish and yes Batroun is known for lemonade such Hilmi Rim & Chahine but also Batroun is known for its party at weekends and family ambiance from Monday till Friday so batroun isn’t a specific place for only one thing no it’s an emballage of all ! also this branch of Mcd’s has proudly make for it place in this emballage and took the design of the city and the future it. We can say those forgotten places such this house or another were on a side of the marge and we were waiting the time to demolish them but those idea like pubs Mcd’s and other have given the life for those places for a new beginning and for me i would love to eat at such a wonderful place and not at a ordinary restaurant made from 4 walls of (betton) and you can see also stephano cafe, taiga cafe and other who expose the creativity and the beauty of the city and it is not such political bcz here in batroun the politic doe not take place !!!! LOVE YOU BATROUN LOVE YOU MY CITY 🙂
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They should add another arch to the “M” 😀
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