BIZNOTE: ‘Major transformation’ for Westwood Village McDonald’s

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | Westwood

After a few reader questions about why the Westwood Village McDonald’s is fully fenced off, with major work at the site, we checked city files and noted permits for remodeling and upgrades, and found this summary: “Revise front service counter and internal menu boards. Remove self-serve beverage kiosks and install self-serve order boards. Reconfigure drive-thru approach and relocate trash enclosure.” Another permit file noted “new interior, exterior lighting.” Along with checking those files, we contacted the corporation to ask for more details. McDonald’s USA spokesperson Mike Vizza replied that the restaurant “is undergoing a major transformation that will improve the customer experience inside and out. We are placing a higher emphasis on hospitality by weaving technology into the dining experience, with new self-ordering kiosks and table service that offers guests greater customization and the opportunity to relax while their food is being made.” He didn’t have an estimate for when it’ll reopen, just that “We will be working diligently on the remodel over the next several months.” Other area McDonald’s have been overhauled already, including Admiral four years ago. Meantime, WWV has more burgers on the way, with Five Guys going in just west of the McDonald’s (we first reported that plan in May, and it’s continuing to advance through the permit files).

Flo B September 8, 2022 (3:48 pm)

The need for self service order boards is partly because of cost and mostly because they can’t get enough people to work there.

Low Tech Sally September 8, 2022 (4:08 pm)

We are placing a higher emphasis on hospitality by weaving technology into the dining experience … and the opportunity to relax while their food is being madeNuttin’ says hospitality to me like DIY orderin’ technology! And boy oh boy am I glad I can kick up my feet and relax now that someone at McDonalds will fix my food for me and fetch me my drink refills. Such silly corporate speak. I hope their drive-thru reconfiguration solves the gnarled traffic issues at the 23rd/Barton intersection and WWV egress.

Sillygoose September 8, 2022 (5:19 pm)

I hope they are installing the self serve kiosk we used in Rome Italy. Incrediable you don’t interact with anyone.

Beepee September 8, 2022 (5:23 pm)

After speaking with a manager of the restataunt, she told me the plan is to have two separate drive thoughs

gregn September 8, 2022 (5:49 pm)

As a neighbor of this McDonalds, I was hoping that instead of improving the customer experience that they would improve the McDonalds-litter-in-the-neighborhood experience. Or maybe at least switch to fully compostable packaging so that when their customers do litter all over the place, it is less damaging to the environment and maybe I wouldnt have to clean as much of it up. But alas, no.

Matt September 9, 2022 (6:53 am)

And uh…how would a remodel address that? Garbage cans every ten feet in all directions?
Nicki September 9, 2022 (10:12 am)

The switching of packaging may be something that the local store has no control over. It’s very likely that they have to use what corporate sends them. And even if they did switch packaging, in the end, it’s up to the customer as to what they decide to do.

1994 September 8, 2022 (8:23 pm)

Maybe they are spiffing up to get ready for the future competition of the new burger joint coming next door? 2 drive though lanes should help as the 1 appears to not be adequate for their location.

Nicki September 9, 2022 (10:15 am)

I agree. It also doesn’t help with the way the drive thru is currently laid out in regards to WWV.

Jenben September 8, 2022 (9:44 pm)

Oh no! Where will all the drug dealers hang out while the remodel is happening? So sad

GT September 8, 2022 (11:32 pm)

I stopped going to McDonalds when the one by Thriftway was fly infested..The food is inert so must have had dead rats to have so many fies. Budda ada dat dah. Disgusting.

Nomoremuck September 9, 2022 (8:22 am)

Enough fast food. So sad these are our options.

KK September 9, 2022 (10:22 am)

This will suck for their business as all of the students at the local high school are regular patrons…that is if and when school does start:/

skeeter September 9, 2022 (11:16 am)

Bring back the $.99 daily double! Then you’ll have my business.

T Rex September 9, 2022 (12:57 pm)

BRING ON FIVE GUYS!!

LuvinIt September 9, 2022 (6:13 pm)

I’ve driven by this McDonald’s late at night and the drive-thru lines are sometimes truly epic! Incredibly long lines and also lines coming in all different directions. And I just think, there is absolutely nothing on the menu that would make waiting in line for an hour worthwhile.

Michael Flynn September 11, 2022 (1:07 am)

And remember, the former McDonald’s CEO was quoted as saying if minimum wage increased it would pay for McDonald’s to just use robots.

anonyme September 11, 2022 (5:16 am)

Initially, I misread the headline and thought that Westwood Village itself was undergoing a major remodel. Now that would make sense. That place needs to be flattened, re-imagined, and rebuilt. I do agree with the poster who said that waste was a problem; this is something that needs to be addressed at a corporate level. Almost all of the packaging used at McD’s could/should be compostable, especially as the customers can’t seem to figure out the sorting bins.

Dina September 15, 2022 (9:09 pm)

For the longest time, this McDonalds location was notorious for getting most orders wrong. Maybe self service for this location would be an improvement.