McDonald's upgrade to include McCafe

A $1.6m facelift at McDonald's is another step in Masterton's transformation from a town to a city, says Masterton McDonald's franchisee Roger Knapper.
Work is well under way on the corner of Lincoln Road and Chapel Street where Levin contractors Crowe Construction have already removed the outdoor children's playground to make way for a veranda dining area.
Mr Knapper said the upgrade, due to be finished on May 18, will include a McCafe, a complete refurbishment of the interior and "more zoned seating so parents can watch their kids while enjoying a quiet coffee".
"The restaurant will be split into fast dining, where people in a hurry can go and sit in a communal seating area, family dining, a children's area, and outdoor seating."
The McCafe seating will be separate from the McDonald's dining and is designed to encourage a different sector of the community to come to the restaurant, he said.
"McCafe is just like any other cafe and has everything from good coffee to paninis, muffins, cakes and slices.
"Masterton has really grown in the last couple of years and is becoming more of a city as opposed to a town.
"We believe this upgrade will be an investment for Masterton and it's exciting being part of the growth."
Mr Knapper said McDonald's turnover is increasing and there is a new interest in the restaurant.
"People want to know what's happening and they are taking interest in the designs and plans. With construction you usually get some negative comments but all the feedback we have had is positive.
"We will endeavour to keep the doors open throughout the upgrade," he said.
With the refurbishment comes job opportunities and Mr Knapper says he will be looking for new staff right through to management level.
"An investment like this is big for a town and we wouldn't be doing it unless we thought it would be good for us and the town."
Formerly owners of the $2 shop in Rotorua, the Knappers and their two children moved to Masterton after a chance meeting with a McDonald's franchisee.
"Giselle and I had been at a Bledisloe Cup match in Wellington and were at the airport flying back to Rotorua when I ran into an old friend. He owned a McDonald's himself and pretty much sold the idea to us on the spot."
Mr Knapper said he put his name forward to McDonald's and then completed 12 months unpaid training before he was offered a franchise.
"We were offered three places and we came to Masterton because we thought it was the safest place for bringing up our family and had good schooling."
Mrs Knapper said Rotorua's business sector has boomed in the past decade and she sees Masterton as doing the same.
"We really want the community to take ownership of McDonald's and we have included a number of local finishing touches in our plans."
Photo-montages of local icons and events will be situated both inside and outside of the building, she said.
"Everything will be different, it will be a whole new look. The uniforms, seating, decorating and even the music will change."