McDonald’s officials break ground at Greater Butler Mart location
BUTLER TWP — As Butler County residents drive by Greater Butler Mart along Route 8, they will notice something missing, but not for long.
The McDonald’s at the Greater Butler Mart has been torn down and is being rebuilt to speed up and enhance its customers’ experience.
Meghan Sweeney, owner and operator of the McDonald’s, was present Monday morning for a groundbreaking with other company officials to showcase the work that has been done and explain why it was time for some changes.
“The back of the house was not set up to serve the customer the most-efficient way,” Sweeney said.
The McDonald’s at the Greater Butler Mart was built under her grandfather’s watch in the early 1980s, Sweeney said.
It then fell into her uncle’s hands, who then pased it on to Sweeney.
“I had to be the unfortunate Sweeney that tore it down, but I’m going to have to put up something even better,” Sweeney said.
Sweeney said the exact cost of the project is not known, but she was able to say that, whatever that cost is, it will be a 50-50 split between herself and McDonald’s.
Carol Hidock, project manager for Tri County Management, is in charge of the project and said demolition began March 30, with construction on the new building to begin nest week.
“It’s going to make things a lot more efficient for our employees,” Hidock said. “It’s all about a better experience for the customers and more- efficient operations for the employees. We want better and faster service. Just a lot of modern changes to the setup we have now.”
Hidock projects a grand opening will take place in mid-July. The new space will feature an outdoor patio, self-ordering kiosks inside and digital play tables for children in the dining room.
“It will have several different touch-screen games,” Hidock said. “You sit at the table and eat and play games at the same time.”
Sweeney said the new location will have a third drive-through window, which will help with deliveries — a big part of her restaurant’s operation.
“You could move the delivery driver to that window, too, and keep the customers in the drive-through,” Sweeney said. “You want to serve as many customers as quickly as possible, because that’s why they come to you.”
All current 55 employees are scheduled to pick up shifts at other Butler McDonald’s locations, according to Kerry Ford, public relations director for McDonald’s. They will return when the new McDonald’s opens.
“That’s between crew and management,” Ford said.
Hidock said the new McDonald’s plans to add about 20 employees once the restaurant is finished.
One of those employees who is picking up shifts locally is Martha Kennedy.
Kennedy, 72, has been at the Greater Butler Mart McDonald’s since 1993, and now is picking up shifts at the McDonald’s at Butler Crossings.
“I enjoy who I work with,” Kennedy said. “I will stay as long as I can. Whatever God wants me to do. He’s in control not me.”
