New 'futuristic' McDonald's opens at Whitfield, Dover
19:02, 28 June 2022
updated: 19:02, 28 June 2022
A McDonald's store has welcomed back its customers after a month of renovation works.
The new restaurant promises to deliver a better customer experience following its Convenience of the Future concept.
The new Whitfield McDonald’s, on Sandwich Road, Dover, had been shut since late May due to the refurbishment works.
It is now one of the 200 upgraded venues to be introduced by the fast food giant this year. Other 800 stores are set to be delivered over the next four years.
The McDonald's near Lockmeadow Maidstone has just shut for refurbishment on its entrance for for JustEat, UberEats and delivery drivers so walk in customers can be separated from them.
The Whitfield branch will offer a separate ‘McDelivery only’ area, so that the dining area becomes quieter and less chaotic.
A side-by-side drive-thru ordering lane to assist both crew and customers has also been built.
The traditional walk-in and drive-thru will remain the core way to order, but the kitchens and dining areas have been re-designed to better integrate digital sales channels and the McDonald's App.
The revamp will offer a more efficient way to order and open up more dining space, as the front counters will be removed.
Instead, there will be dedicated areas for the different ways to make your order.
The car park has also been redesigned following the same customer-led approach as inside.
A dedicated parking area for delivery couriers, plus modified traffic routes round the restaurant have been added, facilitating the order collection for drive-thru and Click & Collect customers.
Paul Crocker, the branch's franchisee said to be excited about the works.
He said: "We are providing separate areas for our customers and our McDelivery Couriers. Also, we are increasing the space and equipment for our staff so we can serve our customers more effectively in a great working environment. We look forward to welcoming our customers, old and new, to enjoy the services we have to offer."
Gareth Pearson, McDonald’s COO for UK and Ireland, added: "The pace of change within the restaurant industry is relentless, and the pandemic accelerated this with digital adoption gathering greater pace.
"Our customers rightly expect to have choice in how and where they order and collect their food, and our job is to ensure that every experience is a great one.
"For this to be the case, we know we also have to provide our restaurant teams and delivery partners with the best possible environment to work in.
"We strongly believe we have to continue to invest to grow, and this investment not only addresses how customers are ordering now but provides us with a platform to continue to adapt in the future, whatever that innovation looks like."
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