I too have noticed some of the restaurants other than McDonald's doing this. It is especially hard for either families or seniors to use these tables. Let the corporate office know if you are unhappy and why.

Doesn't may sense to me, my back would be hurting to sit there. Maybe they don't want you to stay to long.

I haven't seen the high bar tables like you mentioned. Several of ours got re-done and they have booths, and tables and chairs in cream and brown colours. They now have wi-fi as well.
The coffee is in nice-looking cups for take-out and called McCafe.

I live in TN, but was just in Canada the week of the July 4th and noticed how uncomfortable the seating was, and also how small the McDonald's was, but I just thought it might be that it cost more for space for them, like it does here in the tourist towns.

They have been remodeling for some time now. It looks to me like they are moving away from the child playground look to the more "techy" market. May as well since their is so much anti Happy meal sentiment these days. So now they are adding wide screen tvs. Techno beat music is probably not far behind.

I only use the drive-thru for an Egg Mcmuffin now and then. Hope I can still take my grandbaby out to a kid friendly Mickey Ds someday.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mickey D Remodel

One of our local McD's is somewhat of an office for several people. I've seen the same guy in there every time I've been there, which isn't more than once every couple of months. Computer humming along, papers spread out on a double table, he has quite a set-up. (I only noted him because he looks a lot like the ex-husband of a friend.)

So maybe they ARE trying to make people move along and not camp out.

I think they are always trying new things. You see some generic styles, but we've been to several that fit the theme of the area. My kids love the high seats, but they would be hard with little kids. My kids are outgrowing the playgrounds. Now we can get in and out without a lot of commotion.

I would think those backless seats would dangerous for young children.

There are people who set up office in McDonalds and other people who stay all day long.This should not be.They are there to serve food not to make "home offices and places to make homes"

It may also be part of maintenance being easier. A lot has been mentioned about the play area (also in malls) which are very difficult to clean and once a day doesn't cut it.

OT...in NZ they put beets on their hamburgers instead of pickles. I loved them.

Actually they do want people who will sit their with laptops and "set up office". Hence the free wifi. They see it working for the coffee places.

Moving away from the kid friendly because it is not conducive to profits what with all the cities/activists trying to force them into not doing happy meals toys, selling health food etc. They have even been pressured to get rid of Ronald McDonald the clown. They are a burger place. That is what they are supposed to sell. If they aren't allowed to entice kids/families then enticing the teen to 30 market is a wise move.

I don't understand these activists trying to destroy a business. Don't want your kid to eat burgers well don't take them there. Go to the fruits and nuts (peanut free of course) down the street.

What makes me bust out laughing was the mass hysteria over "Joe Camel" allegedly marketing to kids, but the clown promoting fast food? Oh, that's different. The "Happy Meal" having more sodium than 13 orders of fries - that's not as bad for the kids as a cartoon camel.

McDonalds has been trying to copy some Starbucks things for quite a while. Guess they're looking for the McYuppies in case the do-gooders that killed Joe go after Ronald and lose the kid base.

Cynic in California they have already gone after them. several cities no longer allow happy meals toys to be given out with the meals. They have tried to tell McDonald's what the nutritional content of the meal must be. They tried to force them in San Francisco to have at least 1/2 cup fruit and 1/2 cup vegetable in each happy meal.

McDonald's still sells the meals as before. The catch is that now that they are not allowed to include the toy they have decided to sell it on the side. For 10 cents! LOL

Any thinking person knows that McDonald's is not a good daily diet. But for generations children have been taken out for a burger,fries and a shake as a treat. Same with ice cream parlors and giant sundaes and banana splits.

It insane. Now people line up at frozen yogurt shops that have build your own sundaes with all sorts of candy toppings that are priced by weight at the register. but it has the word yogurt so that's ok.

Wildchild, you've said what I've always said. Instead of government ruling the fast food joints, just DON'T take your kids there! Same as all the obese kids. McDonald's etc aren't holding the kid down and force-feeding him.

Our Happy Meals come with a sliced apple instead french fries. I don't know if the toy is included with the meal or not. There is an explanation of the safety of their toys on their website.