[T]he McDonald’s restaurant on Grearshill Road is set to receive a major digital makeover following significant investment from local franchisee Chris Nicholls, creating 25 jobs for the local area. With innovations led by improving the customer experience, these major digital changes will benefit everyone.
To improve the speed and ease of ordering, there is now the option to use one of two self-order kiosks. These allow customers to browse the menu, look at nutritional information and personalise their meals, giving people more time to consider their food and drink choices. The future changes have been designed with changing customer needs in mind, and the dedicated dining room hosts will ensure the process is as quick and easy as possible.
Table service will also be introduced to take the stress out of finding somewhere to sit when carrying food, potentially with children, bags and buggies. In restaurants where table service has been introduced previously customer feedback has been positive; with families enjoying the ease of not having to leave children unattended while queuing, and many people feeling it means they have more time to chat with friends and family.
Chris Nicholls started his career at McDonald’s over 30 years ago and now owns and operates eight restaurants across Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness and Cumbria including the one on Grearshill Road. “We’re anticipating the changes effecting how customers use the restaurant, with those who used to pop in for a quick bite staying longer to use the tech we have on offer”, he said. “When ordering with the new kiosks customers will have the option to make different food choices, for example swapping fries for a side salad or adding a d fruit bag to their children’s Happy Meal.”
“These changes are designed to make our customers’ experience as positive as possible and the new technology benefits everyone – whether that’s providing people with a chance to get to grips with using a tablet in a relaxed environment, or providing parents with a quick and easy way of ordering their food.”
The introduction of these changes will mean that McDonald’s crew are able to widen their skill set. More will be able to be in front of the counter, serving customers and helping them navigate the new digital menu boards for the first time ever. This will take McDonald’s customer service to the next level and crew and customers alike are noticing the positive difference.
Chris Nicholls added: “Having already seen customers reacting positively to these changes in my other restaurant I am excited to hear what my customers in Carlisle have to say about the new features. I’m excited to hear more about what our customers think of the new changes, and am confident in the fact we’re improving customer experience for everyone. I’ve been working with the company for over 30 years and have seen the McDonald’s experience transform in this time. Our restaurants are a great leveller and are able to suit the needs of people from any background who want to come in grab a bite to eat or drink and enjoy the atmosphere these changes have created.
“I am dedicated to invest in Carlisle and in the development of my employees. That’s why I’m improving the crew room to provide them with the same facilities that our customers enjoy and have an area to train and develop to keep improving the service we offer. I’m confident that this new look restaurant on Grearshill Road will be a welcome addition to the area and I’m looking forward to welcoming our customers in to show off the changes.”
As McDonald’s constantly strives to bring more innovation to customers in the UK; the future could see even more exciting features introduced if current trials prove successful. This includes the option to customise the classic burgers that customers know and love; and playing our new interactive table-top games whilst they share a meal. The roll out of EOTF is the company’s biggest and most ambitious restaurant reimaging programme in its history. Currently employing over 115,000 people, with 17,300 across the North West the company is in its 43rd consecutive quarter of growth thanks in part to evolving the customer experience and its menu offering.
