McDonald’s move is ‘another significant step in [its] journey’

As part of its effort to evolve into a more progressive fast food chain, McDonald’s is moving its headquarters from the ‘burbs to a trendy location near the city’s central business district.

The company plans to transform its new home on the city’s hip West Randolph Street—home to some of its toniest restaurants, bars and clubs—into "a modern setting that fosters collaboration and connectivity."

In other words, the company is looking to attract top millennial talent.

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The move signals a major culture shift for the company, which currently has its headquarters in the quiet Chicago suburb of Oak Brook. It’s a traditional corporate campus near a major highway, but just far enough from the city so employees would avoid the worst of the city’s traffic stretches.

The new McDonald’s headquarters is the former location for Oprah Winfrey’s production house, Harpo Studios.

McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook said in a statement:

Moving our headquarters to Chicago is another significant step in our journey to build a better McDonald's. This world-class environment will continue to drive business momentum by getting us even closer to customers, encouraging innovation and ensuring great talent is excited about where they work.

McDonald’s move (and branding decision) is another in a trend of businesses moving operations from the suburbs to the city. Previous companies doing the same include Oscar Mayer, ConAgra Foods and Kraft Heinz.

The move is expected to be completed by 2018.

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