McDonald’s at Fulda train station: After 38 years it’s over!

McDonald’s at Fulda train station: After 38 years it’s over!

A shock for fast food fans in Fulda! After an incredible 38 years, the legendary McDonald's branch at the train station is closing. At the turn of the year, the famous Big Mac and the golden fries will disappear from the Centhof. The decision? Under pressure from the company, which is planning a comprehensive modernization that does not do justice to this location!

The franchisee Gluth-Systemgastronomie is withdrawing, and McDonald's explains the closure with strategic changes: "We cannot implement our current restaurant and kitchen concept at this location," said a company spokesman. The modernization is essential for the future of the brand and the company aims to provide a positive guest experience through efficient processes. This means the end for the branch in Fulda!

The future of the location is uncertain

As the closure draws ever closer, employees at the McDonald's branch have received an offer to move to other restaurants in the franchise. And what happens to the premises? Reginald Bukel, manager of the Centhof, speaks of upcoming discussions about subsequent use. “I can imagine that the branch may be too small for self-service kiosks like those that already exist in other restaurants in the chain,” he admits.

The closure at the train station is part of a larger trend - a few months ago another McDonald's branch in Lauterbach had to close due to sales problems. Overall, McDonald's is planning to expand in Germany with 500 new locations in the coming years. However, there is nothing on the agenda for Fulda at the moment. The future of the former fast food temple therefore remains an exciting mystery that will be revealed by the first quarter of 2025. Will a new concept emerge there or will the area remain an unused space?