The Big Mac is back, expect delays

LONG lines of traffic are expected at the county’s two McDonald’s outlets in Tralee and Killarney as they reopen their drive-thru services this week.

Last week the fast food chain opened the drive-thru lanes at six restaurants in Dublin, and the company is now ready to resume selling burgers at the rest of it’s Irish outlets, all of which will open their drive thrus by Thursday, June 4.

Based on what happened at the six Dublin outlets last week – where huge queues of cars quickly formed – McDonald’s said it is expecting major demand at all locations when they do open.

As a result, and to limit any traffic disruption in areas near its restaurants, the company said it will only announce each outlets’ reopening a few hours before it happens.

Given that the Tralee outlet was already one of the busiest McDonald’s outlets in the country, there’s likely to be significant demand when the Manor drive-thru opens for business.

While Big Mac and McNugget enthusiasts will be able to sate their cravings, the news isn’t all good for fans of the Golden Arches.

In order to meet social distancing requirements; keep their staff safe in their kitchens and help their workers cope with the expected demand, McDonald’s have had to cut several items from their menus.

Breakfasts, wraps and milkshakes won’t be available for the foreseeable future. While patrons will be able to enjoy a McFlurry or a coffee after their cheeseburger and fries, they’ll have to wait a little longer for a strawberry milkshake to wash down that long-awaited Big Mac.