Kent Messenger Maidstone

McDonald’s open again after revamp

- By Benjamin Austin baustin@thekmgroup.co.uk

Big Mac munchers and chicken nugget chompers will be able to quell their cravings again after a popular McDonald’s reopened following a makeover.

For three weeks, the fast-food chain – which sits on the Broadway near Lockmeadow in Maidstone – underwent works to give it a new layout and improve the customer experience.

Diners and delivery drivers will now be kept apart with separate entrances into the restaurant and a dedicated waiting area for those picking up orders for Uber Eats, Just Eat and McDelivery.

Regular customers will enter through the main door to find four interactiv­e screens.

They will be encouraged to order via them or through the McDonald’s app but the option of paying at the till is still there for those not wanting to use the technology.

From there, they can choose whether to use table service or to collect their order from the counter.

Franchisee for Maidstone branches of McDonald’s Ali El-Hajj said: “Customers have a different purpose coming into the store than those collecting deliveries.

“Drivers aim to be in and out with their deliveries while customers want to enjoy the dining area.

“Since we introduced delivery and the demand for it has been great we felt that affected customers’ experience­s due to the drivers coming in and out.

“The customers are coming in to enjoy their lunch or dinner with friends or alone while our partners in delivery teams are coming in and out to pick up deliveries and take them as soon as possible.”

The refurbishm­ent – costing more than £230,000 – is part of a wider scheme by McDonald’s with changes already in place across the country.

The branch in Week Street is also set for the same revamp at a date to be confirmed.

 ?? ?? Reporter Ben Austin collects an order at the McDonald’s in Hart Street following the branch’s makeover
Reporter Ben Austin collects an order at the McDonald’s in Hart Street following the branch’s makeover
 ?? ?? A secondary entrance for delivery drivers has been added as part of the overhaul
A secondary entrance for delivery drivers has been added as part of the overhaul
 ?? ?? McDonald’s in Hart Street was closed for three weeks
McDonald’s in Hart Street was closed for three weeks

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