Arizona McDonald's Creates a Permanent Architectural Tribute To Latin American Culture

McDonald's, long recognized as the icon of modern Americana culture, tomorrow, melds that culture with one of the major pre-Columbian influences in the Americas, the Aztec civilization.

The architecture of South Phoenix's newest McDonald's blends with Aztec inspired artwork by famed Mexican artist Enrique Avilez. The artistic creation was elaborated by Avilez in Puerto Penasco, which is located in Arizona's neighboring Mexican state of Sonora, who donated the Aztec style "relief" art.

"The artistic treatment of this McDonald's will create a permanent museum for residents of South Phoenix and provide a source of pride in their history," said Julian Claudio Nabozny, owner of the new distinctive and unique restaurant. "It's an expansion of McDonald's commitment and dedication to salute and celebrate Hispanic heritage year-round!"

The restaurant's exterior walls will feature original art depicting the Aztec God Tlaloc (God of Water) and Quetzalcoatl (God of Wisdom). The artwork will be created in four foot by 18 inch sections in height with different grades of Mexico's pristine Pacific Ocean sand and especially designed glues to give it a durable finish. The sections will grace the entire perimeter of the store with over 250 feet of three-dimensional artwork. The interior walls of the store will be accented with Mexican tile in an assortment of traditional vivid colors.

The interior features still another source of pride, an original Talavera mosaic from Puebla, Mexico of the Virgen de Guadalupe. The Virgin Mary is Mexico's patron saint and a cultural icon among Latinos in the U.S.

"This is an example of McDonald's commitment to the communities in which we do business. I was given the latitude to decorate my restaurant in such a unique manner that is relevant to my local community. While this is definitely a departure from the normal restaurant decor, it pays respect and tribute to the rich cultural heritage of the Hispanic residents in my community," said Nabozny.

Nabozny, a native of Argentina and a naturalized U.S. citizen, has been an active leader in South Phoenix's Latino community since arriving in Arizona seven year ago. Due to his generosity and community outreach, his McDonald's restaurants have become more than just a family experience; they've become local community centers.

Throughout the year, local area residents can go to Nabozny's McDonald's for such activities as celebrating Thanksgiving, supporting their children's schools, learning about health insurance and immigration laws, and receiving free mammograms. Now, they can add cultural appreciation to the menu of activities.

Only last month, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) named Nabozny the winner of its first Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year Award. The 16 year McDonald's owner/operator was selected for his outstanding community service from among fellow restaurant operators across the nation in the quick service restaurant industry.

For more information, please contact Max Gallegos at 630-623-5908 or Mary Lou Valenzuela at 602-279-4669.

McDonald's is the world's largest global food service retailer, with nearly 28,000 restaurants serving over 43 million people each day in 120 countries. Approximately 85 percent of McDonald's global restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees. Visit http://www.media.mcdonalds.com/ for more information.

SOURCE: McDonald's

Contact: Max Gallegos, 630-623-5908, or Mary Lou Valenzuela,
602-279-4669, both for McDonald's

Website: http://www.media.mcdonalds.com/