Pat Stella’s family-owned McDonald’s restaurant on Kidder Street is the latest to undergo renovations and offer customers a transformed dining experience.
The remodeled restaurant includes a new decor and renovated lobby as well as new technology like digital self-order kiosks and plenty of outlets where customers can plug in or recharge electronic devices.
McDonald’s crew members now deliver orders to tables. Customers also could place mobile orders or receive delivery through UberEats and DoorDash.
The restaurant at 744 Kidder St. marks Stella’s fourth restaurant to undergo a transformation.
McDonald’s at Route 590 in Hamlin is the next one scheduled to be remodeled and after it is completed, construction will begin at the location on Wyoming Avenue in Edwardsville and then River Street in Plains Twp. McDonald’s “Playland” areas at the Hamlin and Edwardsville restaurants also will be renovated, Stella said.
Stella’s restaurants on Route 315 in Pittston Twp., East Northampton Street in Wilkes-Barre and Route 940 in White Haven already were renovated.
Each decor package has a different feeling to it and customers like the new technology, Stella said.
MARK MORAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Gathering for the grand re-opening reception at the remodeled McDonald’s restaurant on Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre, are, from left, first row: Rachel Smith and Marge Lloyd, store managers; Pat Stella, owner; Cindy Taylor, director of operations; and Crystal Crablo, department manager; second row: Joe Stella and Edris Chappell, shift manager.
“Customers really like to order with kiosks,” Stella said. “We are trying to upgrade to be more ‘today.’”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception that included a cheeseburger cake was held at the Kidder Street location Wednesday. Stella presented $500 donations to the United Way Nurse’s Pantry and the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Geisinger.
Stella said her restaurant team is placing a higher emphasis on hospitality by greeting customers, assisting with technology and ensuring a clean, welcoming environment. Each restaurant has a guest experience leader who helps with kiosks or serving tables, she said.
“We’ve spent a lot of time training our people with this new method of being hospitable at McDonald’s,” she said.
McDonald’s swing manager Nina Coger said working at the restaurant has helped her pay for college. She received $9,000 through the Archways to Opportunity program over three years toward her education at East Stroudsburg University.
Coger, 23, of Wilkes-Barre, graduated in May with a degree in speech language pathology and minor in psychology. She likes the flexible hours and said the renovations are a “tremendous improvement.”
“It’s much more efficient,” Coger said. “The customers are happy with how it turned out and how everyone serves them.”
Denise Allabaugh is a business writer for The Citizens’ Voice. Contact her at dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2115 or @CVAllabaugh on Twitter.
