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McDonald’s Alliston celebrates grand re–opening

November 22, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Wendy Gabrek

After closing for renovations just after Labour Day long weekend, with just the drive-thru remaining open in limited capacity from September 17th on, McDonald’s Alliston is back open for business, and better than ever.

The redevelopment included a full exterior refresh, involving the removal of the Mansard roof line and roof beams, and a colour change to the global “Red Blade” look. Inside, the dining room was redone with new floor tiles, washroom fixtures, counter, tables and chairs. A third drive-thru window, known as the ‘Fast Forward’, was also added for better service and an improved capacity. 

In the back of the restaurant, owners Rory and Marlene MacKinnon, replaced the cooler and freezer and added a new 500 sq.ft. training center.

In the spring, a patio seating area will be added outdoors.

The renovation increased restaurant seating by two seats – with a better seating layout for dining, making it easier for large groups to sit together – and will enhance the guest experience with the increased capacity in the drive-thru.

The addition of a BEAM interactive game table for children – the first of its kind in Canada, although over 100 McDonald’s restaurants in Europe, and 200 restaurants in the USA already have them – will allow parents to watch their kids having fun from beside the table.

“While the reno was taking place, I was in Tuscany on a bike trip and went into a McDonald’s in a small port town where you take the ferry to Elba. The decor package was identical to Alliston. The company that produces all the furniture and fixtures using the Global Design is out of Montreal so all the manufacturing is Canadian,” Rory MacKinnon told The Times.

“The only custom element was the game table, which is considered a ‘test’,” MacKinnon added. “I had to fight to keep the awning look at the front. I felt it would still look good with the new look. I hope to add back in a digital community board – showcasing what we do for our community and what our community does for us.”

To celebrate, the MacKinnon’s hosted a Cookie Fundraiser for the first week after re-opening, with one hundred per cent of the proceeds to the Stevenson Memorial Hospital Foundation. 

“For three days, from November 8 to 10, we also had ‘Welcome Back Specials’ of $2.99 Happy Meals, $3 Big Macs and McChicken’s and four Nuggets for one dollar,” Rory MacKinnon told The Times.

For the occasion of the grand re-opening the MacKinnon’s and their staff were joined by local dignitaries, including Mayor Rick Milne, Deputy Mayor Richard Norcross, and Councillors Paul Foster, Michael K. Beattie, Stephanie MacLellan, Donna Jebb, and Wayne Noye. Linda Spurr, General Manager of the Alliston BIA, and Jody Levac and Margret Barber from the Stevenson Memorial Hospital were also on hand, as were officers from the Nottawasaga Detachment of the OPP (McDonald’s Alliston supports the OPP with their Bike Safety and Race Against Drugs programs every year), Hornets players from the local Junior C hockey team (McDonald’s has sponsored the team for over 10 years), the local radio station 92.1 MyFM, FJ Master Mix (Michael Roberts), and face painters with McDonald’s Alliston General Manager Leigha providing the cake – shaped like a hamburger, of course.

At the grand re-opening, the proceeds from the Cookie Drive $5,000 and $1,500 from Coffee Cards in August, September, October was presented to the hospital Foundation.

“We have suported the hospital since we first came here,” MacKinnon said. “I don’t know the total over the years, but it is well over $100,000. To the Capital Campaign we have committed to raise $50,000 over the next five years.”

On a final note to the renovations, MacKinnon had this to say, “Doing something of this scope was a difficult decision but I am happy with the end result. We have a clean, modern, relevant looking restaurant with a more efficient drive-thru and additional capacity to carry us through the next 20 years.”

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