Dear Red Phone,
I stopped by McDonald’s at Vineyard the other day to get a juicy Big Mac and some crispy, golden French fries and an ice-cold Coca-Cola, and it looked like a tornado blew the place away! There was such a big mess I was afraid even to stop and ask someone if they’re planning on reopening. Please tell me my favorite restaurant didn’t get blown away?
Starving,
Skinny Man
Dear Skinny Man,
McDonald’s is undergoing an extensive remodeling project, but by the time you read this you shouldn’t be starving anymore as the restaurant’s drive-thru could be open by Friday. According to a construction worker at the site, at 201 Vineyard Boulevard, the health inspector was scheduled to examine the kitchen upgrades by Thursday. If the fast-food joint passes the inspection they might be on track to open the drive-thru by Friday.
No word yet on when the lobby, which was completely gutted with contractors scrambling throughout Wednesday, might reopen for sit-down dining.
The remodel is part of a widespread effort by McDonald’s corporate big wigs to modernize the chain’s appearance and design, according to Morgan Hill Assistant City Manager Leslie Little.
“At the (McDonald’s) on Vineyard, we tried to incorporate the existing architecture of the shopping center,” so the restaurant’s new appearance wouldn’t look too out of place, Little said.
Another Morgan Hill McDonald’s location, at 17025 Condit Road, has already put in an application for a similar remodeling project, Little said. Another fast-food behemoth with a local presence – Burger King – has also notified City staff verbally that their corporate offices intend to undertake a similar remodel.
