The front of the newly expanded and renovated McDonald’s restaurant on west Cape Coral Parkway. PHOTO PROVIDED

Franchise owner Tim Fenton said it was the second time the store at 1604 Cape Coral Parkway, W., got a makeover.

Fenton is a former chief operating officer with McDonald’s and he retired about seven years ago.

He felt the previous setup was too small to give customers the optimal McDonald’s experience. So, they increased the number of seats from 45 to 80.

“It stayed contemporary and we refreshed it,” he said.

An inflatable Ronald McDonald at the Cape Coral restaurant. PHOTO PROVIDED

Stores get refreshed about every five to seven years, Fenton said.

“To keep up with business,” he said. “It’s growing fast.”

The last expansion included the drive-thru, where the restaurant does the most business.

Even before COVID, drive-thru customers constituted about 70% of business.

But Fenton said there are a certain percentage of customers who want to get out of the car and go in and sit down. More seats allow guests to spread out.

Tom Fenton

“And not sit next to someone you don’t know,” Fenton said. “It’s a relaxing atmosphere. Less rush.”

The indoor cafe is especially popular among older customers.

“The senior customers like to sit down and sit inside, particularly for breakfast,” Fenton said. “They like to sit inside and relax and talk. We want to make sure the dining room is big enough to accommodate that.”

The inside is lighter and more contemporary with earth tones, whites and different blues.

“It gives it a whole different look,” Fenton said.

There is also a different style tile floor.

“It’s a bigger style,” Fenton said. “Small tile floors seem to get outdated faster. You could have a tile floor for 10 years and change the wallpaper every five years.”

The beverage tower is also moved away from the center of the dining room.

“It was kind of in the way,” Fenton said. “Now it’s off to the side so it’s not in the way and the dining room has a more open look.”

Fenton wants to stay ahead of current trends and make sure the restaurant can accommodate growth.

“Because Cape Coral is growing faster everyday,” he said. “If you drive down Cape Coral Parkway, you see what’s going on with the vacant lots. There is a lot of development going on.”

Feedback about the new look has been positive.

“It’s been very good and complimentary,” Fenton said. “From the customers to the crew. Everyone likes new things and it’s absolutely beautiful.”

Keeping up with expanding and renovating the restaurant is important for the business and the community.

“I hope from a quick-serve restaurant standpoint, we’re leading the growth and the look,” Fenton said. “It’s good for us, the customer and the industry.”

“Also, with COVID, people were ready to come back. We want to give them a fresh look and welcome people back while continuing to use precautions in the restaurant and encouraging customers to do so, too.”

Even though the drive-thru is the main part of the business, Fenton believes it’s important for the exterior and interior to look good, too.

“Looking good inside and keeping the landscape fresh and clean speaks volumes for restaurants,” he said. “If I drive to a restaurant and it has a nice curb appeal, you know it’s going to be nice and you’ll have a good experience inside.”

Fenton has lived all over the world and he’s seen that consumers are more similar than they are different.

“They want fast, clean, good-tasting food at a good value in a safe environment,” he said. “We have a great crew, great customers and great management.”

“I’m proud and happy to be doing business in Cape Coral.”