"Its unlikely youll see this exact restaurant replicated," McDonalds spokesman Bill Whitma

n said, "But you will see elements of this restaurant in some of our new construction. Its all about keeping our restaurants more relevant for our customers. " McDonalds has undergone an image change in more ways than one since a time two and a half years ago when its sales and reputation were sagging amid complaints about its service and food. Despite inconsistent results in some large European countries, that McSlump is no longer: some store sales have increased for 25 straight months in the key U. S. market. The company reported first-quarter operating income was up 6 percent to $ 910 million and revenue rose 9 percent to $4.8 billion over the same time last year. Its stock price nearly tripled over a two-year period, hitting a four-year high of $ 34. 56 per share in March, but has since settled around $ 29. Stylish new restaurants are part of the reform. plan; about 1 000, mostly older U. S. McDonalds have been either renovated or rebuilt since 2002. Contributing more to the sales increase, though, have been longer hours, accepting credit and debit cards, the high-powered "Im lovin it" marketing campaign and pricier new food items.