Toronto celebrates new McDonald’s

GRAND RE-OPENING — Trey Locke of Tomtreyco Inc., owner of the Toronto McDonald’s franchise, expressed thanks to the many involved with the creation of its new store on Frankin Street. To his right are children from Toronto Elementary School and a mural marking the occasion they presented to him. Locke presented two $500 donations to the school and Toronto Junior-Senior High School, which was represented by its marching band. — Warren Scott

TORONTO — Local students, city officials and many others gathered Friday morning to celebrate the replacement of the Toronto McDonald’s with a larger building with new technology and expanded drive-through and parking space.

Trey Locke of Tomtreyco Inc., owner of the Toronto franchise, said the new 3,694-square-foot structure at 1850 Franklin St. eliminates the need to store much of the restaurant’s food supply in a separate freezer and storage building while housing the latest equipment used by the fast-food giant to prepare an assortment of sandwiches and other entrees, french fries, hot and cold beverages and other treats.

“Toronto can brag that they have one of the most state-of-the-art locations among thousands across the country,” said Locke, who has worked with his father, Tom, and two stepbrothers to develop and operate many McDonald’s stores throughout Ohio.

Locke said the restaurant’s in-store patrons may use any of four computer kiosks to select their food and drink choices and make their payment with a credit or debit card or a separate cash machine or continue to place their orders at the front counter.

Each customer then is encouraged to take a numbered plastic marker, known as a table tent by McDonald’s staff, to their tables so their orders can be delivered to them by an employee.

Locke noted in recent years, many customers have appreciated being able to use a smart device-based app to place their orders in advance because it saves them time during pickup at the counter or drive-through while offering them a variety of specials.

“It’s all about options and convenience,” he said.

Locke said construction of the new store also allowed the business’ drive-through to be expanded to two lanes with three pull-up windows. The third was added with the primary goal of accommodating larger orders, he explained.

Locke said the store also offers a front walk-up window to expedite pickups from DoorDash and other food delivery drivers and customers when the lobby is closed.

He said the Toronto McDonald’s is open from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. throughout the week, but he hopes to offer 24-hour service on Saturdays and Sundays in the future.

Locke said the new store reflects a collective investment of about $6 million by Tomtreyco and the McDonald’s Corp.

Mayor John Parker praised the franchisee and contractors involved with the project for the relative ease with which they proceeded with the demolition of the former store in June and excavation of an embankment and creation of a retaining wall to accommodate the expanded drive-through and parking space as well as construction of the building itself.

Parker said a traffic study done before the project found it wouldn’t result in traffic congestion and noted the additional space has improved ingress and egress for the business.

The mayor joined Locke; Karen Pearce, the store’s general manager; and Shawna Grimm, supervisor, in cutting a ribbon for the new location.

Also helping to launch it were the Toronto American Legion Post 86 honor guard, Toronto High School Band and several students from Toronto Elementary School, who presented a mural created to celebrate the store’s opening.

Staff members have hung the mural up behind the front counter.

In appreciation of the community’s support, Locke presented two $500 checks for the elementary school’s art department and Toronto Junior-Senior High School.

The American Legion post also presented $2,500 to the band.

In addition to thanking area residents for their patronage, Locke expressed appreciation to city officials for their support through the project and the store’s staff for their efforts during the transition to the new location.

He said about 90 percent of the Toronto store’s employees worked through the summer at Tomtreyco’s locations in Wintersville and Steubenville while the new store was being built.

It employs about 45 full- and part-time staff.

As an extra incentive for returning or new patrons, the Toronto McDonald’s first 100 drive-through customers have been rewarded with a free Big Mac each week for a year.