Madras McDonald’s to reopen by end of year

Madras, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Construction is underway at the McDonald's in Madras following a fire earlier this year.

The fast food restaurant suffered a minor fire in February. The owners told KTVZ the damage required a full replacement of the plumbing and electrical systems, prompting the owners to opt for a complete renovation.

As one of the more popular options in Madras, the McDonald's team wants to scale up the number of customers it is capable of serving. The lobby will feature an increased number of kiosks, and the kitchen area is set to be enlarged. Additionally, the busy drive-through will gain a third lane.

Local residents are eager for the restaurant's return to service. While KTVZ was filming, a would-be customer drove into the construction zone to attempt to place an order at the closed drive-through. Mason Rodby, owner and operator of the Madras McDonald's, said this has been a regular occurrence. “Yes. You know, we've been under construction for three weeks and we'll get anywhere from five to 10 customers trying to go through the drive-through, trying to go come inside, to get McDonald's. But unfortunately, they won't be open till December to serve those guests,” Rodby said.

Despite the renovations, certain elements will remain unchanged. The location will preserve its play area, a feature that is uncommon for modern McDonald's restaurants.

During the closure, a large portion of the restaurant's employees found positions at nearby McDonald's locations in Redmond and Prineville. Workers received financial assistance from the corporation to cover travel and housing expenses during the transition.

The Madras McDonald's is scheduled to reopen to customers in December.