Burger King plans futuristic upgrade

The fast food giant plans to attempt to set itself apart from the other bigwigs of the industry by revamping the decor of its 12,000 stores.

The new interior will rotate red flame chandeliers, high-definition TV-screen menus and a more industrial feel to the walls, incorporating red brick and corrugated metal. "I'd call it more contemporary, edgy, futuristic," Chairman and CEO John Chidsey told The Associated Press. "It feels so much more like an upscale restaurant." The changeover won't be cheap, with the price tag will require upwards of $300,000 of new capital from each of the chains, 90 percent of which are run by individuals outside the parent company. Burger King already has 60 stores with the new look currently in place, and will of course include the new approach in any future stores. Burger King franchise owners are obligated under their contracts to update their restaurants, and executives said the redesign will be the primary option for future upgrades. The company insists that the upgrade is more than just an out there idea, and has seen sales climb 12 to 15 percent in restaurants that have undergone the redesign. Burger King claims that in restaurants they have torn down and completely rebuilt with the newer look, sales have rocketed up 30 percent.