Toronto’s McDonald’s reopens with high-tech upgrades and community support

TORONTO, Ohio — “Hi, welcome to McDonald’s, can I take your order?’

It’s something people in Toronto are hearing for the first time in months, as the McDonald’s in the Gem City has opened.

The new restaurant is a $6 million investment, featuring some of the newest technology in any McDonald’s in the country.

“We’ve got kiosks now in the inside lobby, the kitchen is new age, so all of the tables, heaters, everything looks completely different. Weve actually increased the capacity to cook more food and serve customers faster,” Operator Trey Locke said.

Linda Utzler has been with McDonalds for 26 years. She says she is happy with the new workspace.

“I do fries,” she said. “A lot of people help me out here. I like it, I love McDonald’s.”

The Toronto High School band and art class were also a part of Friday’s festivities. McDonald’s is donating $500 to each program to boost their academic activities.

And another draw for customers — the first 100 people that came through the drive-thru received a reward.

“A free Big Mac for the year, which just is a fantastic promotional idea that our team put together,” Locke said. “So proud of them and their work to put this together. “

The first car in line arrived at 4:30 p.m., on Thursday. One man camped outside beginning at midnight. The restaurant gave him the name, “Smiley.”

“I’ve been to all the openings of the McDonald’s and some other restaurants,” said Donald Herbst.

“First customer at the Steubenville McDonald’s, Wintersville, Weirton, and now Toronto.”

Mary Ann Adkins says her daughter’s taste for McDonald’s brought her out.

“My daughter’s 12 and has autism, and she loves McDonalds,” she said. “I loved it. Everybody’s nice. They know our faces, and we just love Toronto.”

Many just wanted to experience camping out while knowing they’d have a free Big Mac every week for a year.

“We played some football about 6 hours of the time,” said Brayden Hardwick. “Looking at some people sleeping in their cars was pretty funny.”

“I don’t even like Big Macs, but it was fun to spend the night in the Riesbeck’s parking lot,” said Mason Fox.

“I’m here because I usually get a Big Mac, so I figured why not have a free one for a year?” Evan Kimmerly said.

McDonald’s is open from 5 a.m.-11 p.m. every day.