I visited the campus that McDonald's is trying to convince Amazon to buy before it's abandoned - here's why that's an amazing idea for both companies
McDonald's headquarters are located in a suburb of Chicago called Oak Brook.
McDonald's campus is located in a woodsy area with two ponds, boxed in by a country club and sports fields.
McDonald's actually owns some of the sports fields, with a youth soccer league using it for practices and games, according to The Chicago Tribune.
McDonald's campus is roughly 74 acres. It's a sizable patch of land containing two small lakes, a walking path, hotel, office buildings, and employee-training site Hamburger University.
In sum, McDonald's owns about 150 acres of land in Oak Brook, which could be packaged together in a deal for another super-sized company like Amazon.
I first visited the Lodge, which looks like a pretty standard old-school Hyatt from the outside.
A statue called "The Strongest Bond," celebrating the work of the charity Ronald McDonald House, stands outside the Hyatt.
Entering the hotel, it's easy to be lulled into the feeling that you aren't, in fact, on McDonald's campus.
Then, you catch a glimpse of one of the pieces of art hanging on the wall.
The variety of McDonald's-themed works of art is truly incredible.
Other than that, it's a lovely hotel — normal in every way, except the fact that Ronald McDonald lurks around every corner.
And yes, it has restaurants — and not fast food. In fact, a sign warns that visitors are not allowed to bring outside food into the lounge.
The same atmosphere pervades McDonald's campus as a whole — something that makes it ideal for Amazon ownership. There may be touches of the fast-food giant's presence, but it is far from overwhelming.
On my self-guided tour of the campus, I was struck by how scenic — and expansive — the campus was.
First stop: Hamburger University, which is connected to the Hyatt by a bridge. McDonald's opened the $40 million facility in 1983.
More than 275,000 students have graduated from the fast-food chain's training program, which has "universities" across the world. The week-long training program focuses on leadership development, business growth, and operations, and is intended to prepare McDonald's workers for managerial positions in the restaurant business.
A "Hamburger University" flag flies alongside the American flag outside.
But again, the McDonald's branding is minimal amidst the sculptures and winding walking paths.
Despite the chilly weather, it is a lovely campus to walk around.
Last stop: McDonald's offices.
McDonald's has a bigger office — McDonald's Plaza — that could additionally serve as part of a packaged deal for Amazon or other buyers. Combined, the two locations host roughly 3,000 corporate employees.
Amazon is looking for a site that can hold up to as many as 50,000 workers — but office space for 3,000 is a good start, especially since the campus has so much empty land.
Inside, the on-campus headquarters has everything the typical workspace would — plus a test kitchen and a fully-functioning McDonald's.
Ultimately, the specific offices are less crucial to Amazon's pick for HQ2 than the space's potential.
McDonald's soon-to-be-ex-headquarters fit many of Amazon's qualifications, in both size and location.
"With our access to both airports, downtown, and having some of the best schools in the state for the executives that might live here, it's a great fit," Oak Brook Village Trustee John Baar told The Daily Herald.
Baar continued: "We're tremendously excited to be part of this mission to land Amazon."
Oak Brook could certainly use the replacement. McDonald's exodus has sent shockwaves through the suburb.
McDonald's is Oak Brook's second-biggest employer, and it donates some $100,000 to the town annually. Local retailers rely on McDonald's corporate workers for business. And, with the headquarters moving downtown, there's concern that a number of employees will follow suit.
It's not in the depths of a city, so if Amazon wants to be in an urban center, they can look elsewhere — including eight proposed sites in Chicago proper. But, as I walked around the campus, I was impressed by the tranquility of the campus and the potential of the space.
It makes sense that McDonald's wants to leave as it works to improve its reputation and modernize the business. A more suburban spot for Amazon, however, could boost the company's reputation in different ways.
As tech companies are blasted as being out-of-touch with the average American, moving the e-commerce giant to a more suburban location could be a bonus. McDonald's has long been involved in the local community, and its absence could give Amazon a chance to step up and do the same.
Further, McDonald's has been a symbol of American business across the globe for the last six decades. As Amazon's ambitions grow, it is increasingly becoming a new symbol of the nation.
As Amazon searches for its new headquarters, it is lucky enough to be looking at a time when an empty campus of another industry leader is up for grabs. Why shouldn't the e-commerce giant snatch up McDonald's campus while it is free?
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