McDonald’s wants to see East Lansing smile.
Not only is the McRib back, but an entire new facility has been built at 1024 E. Grand River Ave., the only two-story McDonald’s Restaurant in Michigan.
Store manager Michelle Mitchell said all of the changes have been for the better.
“We have had a lot of compliments, especially from the students who have left for the summer and returned,” she said.
The new building opened on Aug. 16 and has 20 extra seats.
“The second story is just the majority of the lobby, the main seating is upstairs,” Mitchell said.
Cable televisions, 10 more parking spaces, improved access from Grand River Avenue, more entries from adjacent streets and an updated drive-thru system were also added.
“I have not really heard too many negative things, especially from our regular customers,” Mitchell said.
Decorated with a green roof and Spartan colors on the inside with MSU sports jerseys and team pictures adorning the walls, Mitchell said she wants people to come in and watch the games.
“I hope we become a lot more involved in the community,” Mitchell said.
Some of the improvements aren’t just for the public.
Brand new equipment was also installed for the employees. Mitchell said the workload is much easier with the new equipment and has high hopes for big sales.
“So far we have only been open for seven days and with the new facility we definitely are expecting to see an increase,” she said.
Bob Owen, planning and zoning administrator for East Lansing, said the building is one of a kind.
“It is going to be something different and something no one has seen in this area,” he said.
McDonald’s has operated a restaurant in East Lansing since 1958 and Owen said a change was definitely needed.
“This facility is old, it is due for a rebuild, the building is over 30 years old,” he said of the original restaurant.
Debbie Nummer, a McDonald’s Corporation spokeswoman, said there are plans to install Internet connections at the end of October.
“It will be the first one in the state of Michigan, there are four in California that are using it,” she said.
Nummer said it will be a great convenience for students.
“They will be able to come to the restaurant and for some of them who don’t have Internet access, they will be able to find what they need for their school work,” she said.
Jim van Ravensway, director of planning and community development for East Lansing, said the changes were made with the customers in mind.
“The original configuration was really not good, it was an awkward arrangement to where the building was located to the sidewalk,” he said. “In the end we ended up with a better project than what used to be there.”
