MADISON TOWNSHIP —
6626 North Ridge Road hasn’t looked this bare since 1977, when the signature “golden arches” was first erected. On Monday, demolition of the original Route 20 McDonald’s began, but Happy Meal lovers, take heart; within 90 days, a new and improved McDonald’s is expected to open, said Phil Saken, McDonald’s Ohio region communication manager.
“Our new-look McDonald’s in Madison will offer our customers a contemporary, modern, welcoming atmosphere that caters to people of all ages and tastes,” he said.
Saken said the building was remodeled by local owner/operator Allen Smith 14 years ago and the PlayPlace was added in the 1990s.
The 2012 rebuild will produce a contemporary-looking restaurant with a side-by-side drive-thru, seating zones, Wi-Fi access, a new front counter ordering system and PlayPlace.
“We’re hoping it’ll be a real destination for neighbors both in the immediate community and in the surrounding counties,” Saken said.
Similar in square footage, the new restaurant will have a more efficient kitchen and storage areas focusing on sustainability.
“The new side-by-side drive-thru, front counter ordering system, and our more efficient kitchen design will all work together to allow our crew to provide greater speed and accuracy so that our customers get exactly what they want, how they want it, with great hospitality and personal service,” Saken said.
Not only will the area benefit from improved service, the new restaurant is expected to increase jobs in the area.
“In fact, this project has already created a lot of work for the local construction industries,” Saken said. “The excavators for the project, for example, are from Ashtabula.”
He added that current employees were offered work in other restaurants in Smith’s organization, while others took the summer off and will return when the new restaurant opens.
Francis is a freelance writer.
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