SCOTTSDALE - Certainly, Ronald McDonald would clash with the new surroundings.

Think earth tones with dashes of gold, black and copper. Upholstered booth seats, and wood and metal ceiling fans. Funky picture frames hung without pictures. And a bathroom that most people would not mind in their own homes.

It's closer to Starbucks than to the red, yellow and plastic theme of McDonald's circa 1977.

Owners Jerry Wernau and partner Mark Kramer are hoping that the $300,000 remodel of their McDonald's at Scottsdale and Thomas roads will turn the space into "the four-star restaurant of the fast-food arena."

This redesign is one tiny part of a companywide initiative to "re-image" the 50-year-old chain, said McDonald's regional spokeswoman Carolyn Gust.

"A McDonald's opened in Denver with flat-screen plasma TVs," Gust said, "and some of the stores in the West and Southwest have fountains, gas fireplaces or leather sofas."...