Greater Butler Mart McDonald’s back open for business
BUTLER TWP — After being closed for less than 100 days, the McDonald’s at the Greater Butler Mart on Route 8 is back open for business.
The fast-food restaurant welcomed customers and community leaders to a ribbon-cutting Tuesday morning, July 25.
The previous building, which was built in the early 1980s, according to owner and operator Meghan Sweeney, was torn down and rebuilt to bring in a refreshed design and a modern layout.
Demolition of the former building began March 30, and construction began in early April on the new 3,915-square-foot restaurant.
“We’ve built a better McDonald’s for our customers,” Sweeney said. “We’re making long-term investments so McDonald’s of Greater Butler Mart will be even more easy, convenient.”
The new building offers digital kiosks for customers to pay and order their food, table service, free Wi-Fi and touch-screen games for children.
“I'm just super excited for my employees to get a brand new store,” Sweeney said. “It is probably one of the smoothest projects we’ve had timeline wise."
Sweeney said she was not able to disclose the exact cost of the project, but she was able to say that whatever that cost is, it will be a 50-50 split between herself and McDonald’s.
Fellow owner and operator Paul Sweeney, who is Meghan’s father, also was present for the ribbon-cutting.
He said he is excited about the new building, which has features he wishes he had back in the day.
“(Meghan) has done a great job,“ Paul Sweeney said. ”There have been so many changes: equipment changes, government changes and technology.“
Meghan Sweeney said the employees are excited about the new crew breakroom, especially because the old one was dark and in the basement of the building.
“This one is just in the back and it has windows,“ she said. ”In general, the building is more spacious and easier to get around.“
During construction, all 55 employees of the Greater Butler Mart site were offered employment at other nearby McDonald’s restaurants.
All of those employees have returned Sweeney said, but she has also brought in an additional 20 to 30 new employees to the team, and she will continue to bring on more.
“We love to hire,” Sweeney said. “We are always continuing to hire. We are a great job for a first-time employee, and we are a great second job to pick up.”
One of those employees who returned is crew member Martha Kennedy.
Kennedy, 72, said she has been at the Greater Butler Mart McDonald’s for nearly 30 years. She explained what gets her excited for the new building.
“It's so beautiful, and it's so different,“ Kennedy said. ”We don't have a drink station and the dining room is smaller, but the kitchen is bigger for the kids. I also love how everything is all on one level. No going down 13 steps anymore."
Sweeney said this week will serve as the business’s “soft opening,” and on Friday it will be offering customers some rewards for their patience and support.
Starting at 8 a.m., the first 100 in-store customers to make a purchase will receive a punch card good for a free Big Mac every week for a year.
"We’re grateful for the strong support that McDonald's has always received from the Butler community," Sweeney said. “That’s why we tried to make our restaurant even more comfortable, convenient and fun for all of our guests."
