Photos: Greg Bailey/McDonald’s
The world’s newest McDonald’s is opening today in Rock Springs.
The restaurant, located at 1687 Sunset Drive, opens to the public today (Jan. 28) at 8 p.m. The restaurant has been completely rebuilt with the new technology, localized décor, and a customer friendly layout.
As part of the restaurant’s opening, Big Macs will be sold for only 99 cents from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. opening night, according to owner Greg Bailey.
“When we closed the restaurant, we had Big Macs at ninety-nine cents, and we wanted to open the restaurant to thank the people of Rock Springs and Green River for their past support while we were closed,” said Bailey. “This is a small way of doing that.”
In addition, Bailey says specials will be offered throughout the week with drawings, a bike give-away, and there will be a direct mailing of coupons in February.
The restaurant closed on August 28, 2015. Now, after 150 days, it is reopening. First opened in 1976, the restaurant has been a staple in Rock Springs for just over 40 years.
“At 40 years, the building’s a little tired. It’s not as efficient—both energy wise and just layout wise. Now we have the latest and greatest,” said Bailey. “And so it will be more energy efficient than what we had before.”
Bailey said the new LED lighting makes it possible to light the entire restaurant with only 8 amps of power—a significant improvement from the past.
New technology in the kitchen area will also make things run more efficiently—including a new shake machine which offers a creamier ice cream product and a new McCafe machine which offers a creamier, foamier drink.
Patrons can enjoy the new localized décor with wall graphics from the area, digital menu boards, a new play land toy, digital games for kids and adults, and more activities for younger tykes.
The restaurant will feature the Create Your Taste burger, which has already been seen in the Elk Street and Green River locations. Bailey says the three Sweetwater County restaurants are the only ones in Wyoming featuring the Create Your Taste burgers, allowing customers to select their bun, toppings, condiments, and sauces.
The restaurant will open with 65 employees, many of whom worked at the location before it closed in August. Bailey kept all of his employees during the closure, relocating them to the Elk Street and Green River locations.
A ribbon cutting with the Rock Springs Chamber will be held at the Sunset store on Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
