MCDONALD'S is celebrating 50 years in the UK, serving up meals to millions of customers every year across the country.

The fast food chain has a big presence in Ayrshire, with five restaurant and takeaway sites across the region.

To mark the five decade milestone, let's take a look back at how the sites have changed over the years...

KILMARNOCK - BELLFIELD INTERCHANGE 

This busy premises is the region's newest offering of the franchise, after opening its doors in 2014.

The restaurant is on the site of the former Little Chef, which was one of 67 closed in 2012 after poor sales in 2011.

It is located bang in the middle of a busy service station area, with thousands of cars making their way past every day at a key interchange for the region.

(Image: Google) KILMARNOCK - ARMOUR STREET

One of the region's original McDonald's outlets, this franchise sits slap bang in the middle of the town centre.

The first McDonald's restaurant in Armour Street opened in 1994, and has long been popular with people of all ages.

Google imagery from 2008 shows the old-style branding, which will bring back memories for readers.

(Image: Google) IRVINE - RIVERWAY RETAIL PARK

The McDonald's in Irvine's Riverway Retail Park has been serving customers for decades.

In 2018, the restaurant underwent a 'digital transformation' that included self-order kiosks, other customer-friendly features, and integration with McDonald's 'Good Times' advertising campaign.

(Image: Google) STEVENSTON - HAWKHILL RETAIL PARK

This McDonald's franchise is quite unique as it is located on the edge of Stevenston's Hawkhill retail park.

Earlier this year, the fast food chain announced plans to relocate their existing restaurant to a brand new two-storey building on the site.

The company vowed: "If approved, we will deliver a new and attractive McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant for Stevenston, to better meet customer demand."

(Image: Google) AYR - WHITLETTS ROAD

This McDonald's franchise opened in the early 1990s and is South Ayrshire's only site operated by the fast food giant.

It is situated on one of the main thoroughfare's into town, next to the busy Ayr Racecourse event centre.

(Image: Google)