Why no HO scale McDonald's?

Does anyone else find it hard to believe there aren't any kits for a McDonalds in HO scale, or any other scale for that matter?
Maybe Lionel, that's all I can think of.
Here we have what is probably the most popular fast food restaurant chain in history, and you can't get an HO model of it anywhere.

This place does a Taco Bell amongst other modern commerical things ...

http://www.summit-customcuts.com/produc ... urant.html

There once was a Vollmer kit (Maybe Fallher?) that was a Burger King ... they released a second version of the structure as a Discotuqe.

Part of it is a licensing thing ... like UPS with their trucks in the US. But then agian, check Walthers Website :

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/507-309114

In the 70s Life-Like made an HO-Scale model of an early McDonalds drive-in. http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/lifelikek ... /id55.html Unfortunately it wasn't an approved model and Life-Like got in a lot of trouble for it. The kit was retooled into a generic drive-in. http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/lifelikek ... /id66.html The McDonalds versions are rare but they are out there.

As for other HO Scale fast food, Life-Like made and I believe still makes a Kentucky Fried Chicken. http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/lifelikek ... /id68.html Tyco made a Burger King and a Pizza Hut http://tycotrain.tripod.com/tycotrains/id48.html plus the Howard Johnson's now available from IHC. There was an N-Scale version of at least the Burger King as well. And Walthers makes a White Castle. Walthers also makes a delivery truck that looks alot like a UPS truck, but is just different enough that they get away with it. The gold decals that come with it don't directly include UPS's name, put you can easily piece it together from the names they do give (as I did). Just no logos.

There is a company that makes a Dominoes pizza building also. I personally work at McDonalds and don't want to be reminded so I would never put one on my layout...

Mem160 wrote:Does anyone else find it hard to believe there aren't any kits for a McDonalds in HO scale, or any other scale for that matter?
Maybe Lionel, that's all I can think of.
Here we have what is probably the most popular fast food restaurant chain in history, and you can't get an HO model of it anywhere.

Uh yeah, it's a little thing called trademark licensing. A McDonald's kit was issued briefly in the 1970s, and was quickly pulled because it was unauthorized use of the trademark. Same reason we dont see many current HO scale vehicles... licensing!!

Here are some great kits for your modern layout though...

http://www.summit-customcuts.com/


-otto-

The HO scale McDonald's is being delayed in anticipation of the upcoming HO scale Aretha Franklin figure.

There is both a Burger King and a Pizza Hut available in N Scale.

Model Power was or had made a Burger King in H.O. Scale which was a carry over from Life Like. The KFC is or was also still available in H.O. Scale as well.

Hi Everybody!
I just found a 'Lifelike" HO scale Mcdonalds Drive-In from 1970. All of the parts are sealed still and the box is in pretty good condition.
I've listed it on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0375659437
Really great detail and the classic McDonalds design. I was tempted to keep it and build it myself. It doesn't have the instructions however. Anybody know where I could find those?
Fitz

If McDonald's wants to be difficult, to hell with them. We're talking minature models here that are tantamount to free advertising for them on any layout.

Take a stand and make a statement;



Get your town the Vollmer BURGER KING.

FLAMING BEATS BROILING ANYWAY, EVEN IN SCALE!!!

D/

Your best bet is if Hallmark (the card co) ever does an ornament in your scale. They do a good job getting movie & character approvals. Last year they made a Harley shop complete with rotating turntable & motorcycle.

The 2007 American Freedom Train ornaments in the Lionel series were very close to Zscale. Change the trucks & couplers and they can operate on Zscale track. The NYC models in 2008 look very close to N scale. At the July preview, we may have an idea about 2009 models. Can make a visit to the card shop a lot of fun!

There may be a McD's somewhere in the collection.

i built one of those 'life-like McD's, back in the 70's.

the menu, a small adhesive thing, listed Big Mac's, as 55 cents ...

Someone on ebay has a bunch of ho Mcdonalds, although they are unbuilt/unpainted.
http://cgi.ebay.com/HO-scale-resin-McDo ... 240%3A1318

Model is fairly accurate, but the font is wrong and the wrong size.

D

closest thing I could ever find is this ceramic model in HO produced in 1996 by Hawthorne I believe as a christmas decoration, but will do in the back drop of a nice size layout.

heres one on sale at ebay, occasionally they pop up here and there I almost bought one once but never got around to creating my layout
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ceramic-McDonalds-C ... 286.c0.m14