Three years ago, Erik and Laura Schroeder moved to Milwaukee from California to franchise a McDonald’s, 5739 W. Silver Spring Dr. The couple made a significant life change after decades working in different industries, and they were excited to start a fresh chapter.
Directly to the east of their McDonald’s, a dilapidated house stood vacant. The Schroeders thought it was in the best interest of their business to buy the house – which they did via Facebook Marketplace – and have it razed. However, the cost of bulldozing the property was surprisingly exorbitant, and so Erik came up with an alternative plan.
He would hire someone to turn it into public art.
“Everyone thought I was crazy,” says Erik. “But I love murals and graffiti art and once I got the idea, I couldn't get it out of my head.”
He shared his vision with one of his McDonald’s “regulars,” who didn’t think the idea was crazy at all. Instead, he recommended Erik get in contact with Milwaukee muralist Fred Kaems.
Kaems agreed to the project and started working with Eric on design possibilities. But the biggest hurdle of the project was getting the McDonald’s Corporation to approve it.
“McDonald’s is very conscious of the brand and getting the approval was tough,” says Erik. “Like just about everyone else, at first they thought I was crazy.”
But Kaems and Erik moved forward and created multiple renderings with different McDonald’s imagery. They sent the drawings to McDonald’s, thinking a green light was a long shot.
But McDonald’s agreed – under one condition.
“They weren’t interested in the design we wanted, but they were open to looking at other possibilities,” says Erik. “A few design changes later and McDonald’s got on board.”
The mural took Kaems about 10 days to complete.
“I love how it uses the unusually shaped ‘canvas’ so well,” says Kaems. “There was a point while I was nearing completion where I paused and looked at it and just started laughing. I feel so fortunate that I get to do things like this, and that people like Eric trust my vision.”
Despite rumors, there is nothing on the inside of “The Fry House,” as it’s referred to. Prior to the mural installation, the roof was patched and some of the windows were glass blocked to seal it from weather and further disrepair.
“There was a rumor going around that the building housed a daycare for employees, but it’s not,” says Erik.
The Schroeders partnered with the Ronald McDonald House and a portion of Happy Meal sales are given to the organization. There’s also a donation box inside the restaurant and a “round up the bill” option for customers. They also provide weekly meals for the families staying at the facility.
“Just this year, we were third in the country for donations from Shamrock Shake sales,” says Erik. “We were right behind New York and Chicago.”
After an uncertain start, the mural has been a very positive experience.
“Everybody loves it. The community loves it; the customers love it,” says Erik. “It makes me smile every day.”
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
