T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ Tuesday afternoon, Marshalltown Chamber Ambassadors and Community Foundation of Marshall County board members were on hand to mark the completion of renovations to the Marshalltown McDonald’s with a ribbon cutting ceremony, complete with appearances by Grimace and Hamburglar. Owner/operator Kevin O’Brien holds the Certificate of Appreciation from the Chamber, while restaurant General Manager Jessica Hamlin cuts the ribbon.

Since February 2019, the Marshalltown McDonald’s has undergone an extensive remodeling and expansion. Tuesday afternoon, Marshalltown Chamber Ambassadors were on hand to mark the completion of the work with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The dining space and kitchen area have been expanded, the outside and inside of the building modernized, improvements made to the drive-thru, and of greatest interest to young patrons, an expanded PlayPlace with new equipment is available. There is an addition of self-serve kiosks and guests’ orders will be delivered to their tables.

“It’s always an honor to be involved in a business’ ribbon cutting, whether for a grand opening or a re-opening like McDonald’s,” Chamber Executive Director Lynn Olberding said. “We are proud that McDonald’s has invested in their Marshalltown location and has continued to serve the public during their construction. They have several things plans for the days ahead and we appreciate how they are another Marshalltown business giving back to the community as we continue to recover from the July 19, 2018 tornado. Thank you to the O’Brien family for their investment in Marshalltown.”

Owner/operator Kevin O’Brien acquired the Marshalltown franchise in May 2018. His O’Brien Family McDonald’s organization has been in operation for 61 years and owns 18 McDonald’s restaurants in Iowa.

O’Brien said upon purchasing the restaurant from its previous owners, he knew he wanted the Marshalltown location to be renovated.

“Our customers want the latest and greatest so we did that,” he said. “We added 10 feet onto our building, opened up the PlayPlace area to make it easier for parents to see their children playing and expanded the drive-thru for better and faster service.”

O’Brien said there is an emphasis on hospitality and creating an “ultra-modern experience for consumers.”

A grand reopening celebration, free and open to the public, will kick-off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Every transaction in the lobby gets you the chance to play Spin the Wheel for a prize, which includes coupon cards for free food/drinks and McDonald’s promo items.

From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, a Marshalltown Strong Fundraiser will be held. Ten percent of all sales will be donated to the Rebuild Marshalltown Fund through the Community Foundation of Marshall County.

“The Community Foundation of Marshall County would like to thank O’Brien Family McDonald’s for their donation to the Rebuild Marshalltown Fund,” Community Foundation Executive Director Julie Hitchins said. “Long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts in Marshalltown have only just begun. Together, we are Marshalltown Strong.”

From June 1 to June 30, the O’Brien Family McDonald’s organization will donate 50 cents from every self-serve kiosk transaction to the Rebuild Marshalltown Fund.

The fun continues Saturday with free Breakfast Bingo from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. All winners will receive prizes such as Free Egg McMuffin for a Year or Free Big Mac for a Year and McDonald’s promo items.

A kids’ party will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and include face painting, a balloon artist and appearances by Grimace and Hamburglar. Enter to win Free Happy Meals for a Year.

McDonald’s is located at 3402 S. Center St. on Highway 14 and is currently hiring. The O’Brien Family McDonald’s organization employs approximately 1,200 people at its 18 locations. O’Brien is a a second-generation operator. His parents opened their first location in Iowa City in 1958 and his mother Dorothy O’Brien was one of the first female franchisees at McDonald’s.

——

Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at 641-753-6611

or sjordan@timesrepublican.com