By Cindy Butler Focke
Correspondent
VIRGINIA BEACH
Just a few days left to put the final touches on the brand new McDonald's at the corner of Bonney Road and South Independence Boulevard; then Ronnie Brown of Brown Building Corp. can relax and enjoy his favorite McDonald's menu item: an Egg McMuffin.
Brown's company demolished the 30-year-old building three months ago and has been working furiously to transform it into owner Hugh Fard's vision of a modern, yet traditional home for the golden arches.
"Hugh wants to give people a crisp, clean, wow look," Brown said.
The doors open at 5 a.m. Wednesday, and free double cheeseburgers will be offered between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to those who venture inside the cool, eclectic setting.
Fard, who's been with the company for 26 years, owns 14 Beach McDonald's. With the arrival of Town Center, he said the restaurant needed to change with the environment.
"It's his contribution to the city's golden jewel," Brown said.
"I wanted something completely different, something different from what people are used to," said Fard, who is originally from London.
After traveling to California, he worked with four designers to create a unique plan that incorporated ideas from all over the world, including New York, London and Paris.
His vision included adults sipping McCafé lattes while glancing at the news on one of seven closed-captioned, 36-inch flat-screen TVs; kids sitting on comfy cushions enjoying their Happy Meals while playing a touch-screen game with their parents; business associates conversing in an out-of-the-way lounge area; friends eating lunch on cushioned bar stools at high-top tables; and Wi-Fi Internet access available throughout.
"McDonald's wants to always stay on the cutting edge and be relevant to all," Fard said.
It's the largest McDonald's in the area and the second in Virginia, with square footage around 5,000 (compared to 3,500 before). The contrasting lime green and white colors are welcoming and clean, while the wallpaper presents the illusion of sunlight filtering through the windows. Bamboo walls lend the perfect accent and represent Fard's commitment to recycling.
Even the bathrooms are bright white, with imported tiles.
Site superintendent Shane Landers cited the restaurant's interior decor as one of the most unique he has helped create.
"This is well above and beyond any I've done," Landers said. "I've done quite a few, and this is tops."
But that's not all. If you choose the drive-through, be prepared to feel relaxed. Fard has installed a babbling tropical waterfall to enjoy while ordering your Big Mac.
The restaurant's official grand opening celebration, hosted by special guest Ronald McDonald, will be from 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. July 18. The first 500 children and 200 adults at 11 a.m. will receive a prize. Door prizes include a bike and laptop. Free Happy Meals, Big Macs and McCafé beverages for a year also will be given away.
Cindy Butler Focke, butler496@aol.com
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Beautiful store
Well I think that Hugh should be VERY proud of this store. I know a LOT of hard work and passion went into this one and I have heard nothing but positive comments about it. Great Job!!
"Sweet Tea"
Tell me why McDonald's cannot give me Iced Tea? There are two teas, sweet tea and iced tea. There is no such thing as UN-SWEET tea (which is why the spell checker doesn't like it)!
Why is it that about half the time I order UN-SWEAT TEA, I get sweet tea.
McDonald's SUCKS!
I will add that the Big Mac was the start of the obeasity problem in the US, as was part of a story on National People's Radio tonight. I know they have gotten better, but a freaking half pound of deep fried french fries? Get real.
I wish I could talk to the people at the drive through, but I cannot. Some speak a little English, and I speak a little Spanish, but many of them speak neither.
No wonder I only go there for UN-SWEET (screw me) tea!
Mmmmmm...YUMMY! I want some
Mmmmmm...YUMMY! I want some Mickey D's french fries ASAP!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on6BSfHlK_w
microwaves
McD's burgers just aren't the same since they started using microwaves. There was a time when I looked forward to the occasional Big Mac. But food quality has declined, and customer service is a joke (not that it was ever great). But McDonalds will continue to thrive as long as americans value price and convenience over quality.
I must respond......
As a local restaurant manager for McDonalds, I am very pleased to see another example of how McDonalds is reinventing itself as a company. I have read many comments from "angry customers", in which I will personally apologize. McDonalds Corp is pushing forward in eliminating these old, negative stereotypes on quaility of food, customer service, loyalty, and comfort amenities in regards to our customers. I am sure that McDonalds Town Center will achieve these goals. And lastly I will say that it would be more beneficial to you to find out for yourself how McDonalds is evolving, and to walk into a restaurant with a POSITIVE attitude...im sure some of you will have to dig a little deep to achieve this, but it can be done. Bad attitudes create bad situations, from both parties. Im LOVIN IT!!!
How About Building Some Customer Service
Build a new building but leave the customer service lacking, way to go McD's . They did the same thing with the one in Ocean View, rebuilt the entire place only to leave customer service at the same level it was before. Personally, I do not eat at McYucks...not when there are far better choices available.
huh??
"It's his contribution to the city's golden jewel," Brown said.
What's he talking about?? a contrived concrete jungle??
gotta say
I'm lovin' it!
Touchy Feely
All this opulence just so you can feel good about your indigestion and the junk food you are consuming?
New buildings are nice, but
If the customer service stays bad, then it won't matter. McDonald's, overall, has the absolute worst customer service of all fast-food places.
Persons placed at the registers can't take orders correctly and they don't know how to smile. Often, you'll see more people behind the counter than there are people standing in line, and they still can't keep up with orders in a timely manner.
Can you say McYuck?
"His vision included adults sipping McCafé lattes while glancing at the news on one of seven closed-captioned, 36-inch flat-screen TVs; kids sitting on comfy cushions enjoying their Happy Meals while playing a touch-screen game with their parents"
What a nasty,unsanitary idea ! Let your kids TOUCH a screen with other children's germs on it while they are consuming food !! I think I've created a new word here : McYUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!