‘Heartbreaking’ photo of McDonald’s new play place triggers firestorm

A photo of a play area in a Tennessee McDonald’s triggered an emotional and angry reaction on social media, where the image went viral.

“This is so heartbreaking. I’m at a new McDonald’s in Franklin, TN, and look at their ‘play place’ for children,” wrote X user @NancyAFrench in a post with a photo from the alleged location. “Two screens/two chairs.”

The photo of the “PlayPlace” showed a narrow, empty room with two small chairs facing a wall with two screens.

This is so heart breaking. I’m at a new McDonalds in Franklin, TN and look at their “play place” for children. Two screens/two chairs. pic.twitter.com/j2gxrJZklq

— Nancy French (@NancyAFrench) March 5, 2025

The post has been viewed 16,5 million times and generated thousands of comments from angry social media users.

“Nothing says childhood fun like staring at a screen in a slightly different location than home,” one person wrote.

“This is more of a punishment place,” another added.

French added another post that noted, “I went back in to make sure I didn’t miss something.”

“There was this column thing that might be for getting kids to exercise,” she continued. “But I don’t think this is temporary. I think this is it.”

I went back in to make sure I didn’t miss something. There was this column thing that might be for getting kids to exercise. But I don’t think this is temporary. I think this is it. pic.twitter.com/NkpTvACJ2J

— Nancy French (@NancyAFrench) March 5, 2025

“McDonald’s and our franchisees are proud to provide family-friendly spaces across many of our U.S. restaurants,” a spokesperson for McDonald’s told Fox News Digital.

“While this restaurant has a few interactive features for younger guests, it does not represent the full PlayPlace design and experience,” the spokesperson added.

Many still blasted the restaurant for the inadequate space.

C’mon @McDonalds it’s time to Make McDonald’s Great again.

— bigwilliestreams (@williamvcaffee) March 6, 2025

Look what they took from us pic.twitter.com/Q1PZv3AJs6

— Steve Austin, not a communist (@saustin_moco) March 6, 2025

Probably a mix of safety concerns, lower maintenance costs, and changing kid preferences. But still, it’s bleak.

— UserUnknown (@UserUnknownPOV) March 7, 2025

Our dystopian future has arrived.

— Texian (@TexianTexan) March 13, 2025

Others on X did not see a problem, however.

It’s McDonald’s…take your order to go -head to the park

— OGNILF (@NotDJTrumpWink) March 7, 2025

“heart breaking?” are you for real? Good grief take your kids outside to a park to play instead of depending on McDonald’s to provide that space. Beyond belief.

— Lomo75 (@LaurieMoor64298) March 13, 2025

To be fair, if you go into mcdonald’s.All the kids are sitting on their phones.Anyway.

— ed andres (@EddyAndres52) March 13, 2025

Some X users saw the situation as more of an indictment of parents and society.

What a JOKE !! This is exactly what is wrong with kids and parents today. Just stick their kid in front of a screen. The kids don’t even know how to go outside and play or use their imagination anymore !!!

— Scott (@Capt_Scott1981) March 13, 2025

No wonder kids are all autistic af today. They spend all day looking at screens and tablets instead of actually playing. Looking back my childhood was a blessing.

— Tito Palmer (@titopalmerjr) March 7, 2025

I remember the day my local McDonalds got rid of the play place and put screens in. It was really depressing. I get that the play places are hard to maintain and clean, but encouraging kids to sit in front of screens instead of doing physical activity is dystopian af.

— Bee (@twogravesonegun) March 7, 2025

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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