Fast food chain’s relocation in resort still going ahead

McDonald's is pressing on with a $4 million-plus redevelopment of a Queenstown CBD building.

McDonald’s franchisees Mark Julian and Sarah Lucas with their children Brooke (5), Daisy (2) and Jackson Julian (7) outside the former Salvation Army Store where the new McDonald’s will be housed. PHOTO: TRACEY ROXBURGH

The restaurant chain took over the lease of the Camp St building, which for many years was home to the Salvation Army’s family store; the charity moved to bigger premises at the end of 2018.

Just before the Covid-19 lockdown McDonald’s New Zealand applied for consent, since approved, from the Queenstown Lakes District Council for new signs and changes to the exterior of the building, which is right beside KFC.

For almost 30 years McDonald’s was located in the O’Connells Shopping Centre in the resort — directly opposite its new home. It had to move from there in February when centre owner Skyline Enterprises Ltd embarked on a $26 million redevelopment.

An artist's impression of the new building. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

They remained "relatively positive" the new McDonald’s would be open by the end of the year.

Recruitment for the 30 to 40 staff required would begin in the coming months.

"Some staff will, however, be transferred from the McDonald’s in Frankton, where we have been able to keep all staff employed who remained with us when O’Connells closed, and all staff from both stores have been retained during the lockdown period," Mr Julian said.

tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz