A restaurant in Huddersfield has undergone a high-tech transformation.
McDonald’s franchisee Pritpal Singh has revamped the restaurant at Kirkgate – and at the same time created an additional five jobs. The new look coincides with the 25th anniversary of the restaurant opening.
The Huddersfield restaurant is one of the first in the country to feature innovative self-service ordering kiosks, digital menu boards and tables with Samsung tablets built in for customers to enjoy.
The redesign also includes a bright, modern interior and exterior design, comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi.
Six-figure investment includes new equipment in the kitchen and a new “crew room” with comfortable seating, a television and a computer.
Crew members can also use the area to study for nationally-recognised qualifications in maths or English - one of several training opportunities offered to employees to help develop transferable skills and qualifications.
Pritpal said: “I have been a McDonald’s franchisee for 20 years and this restaurant is 25 years old. I invested in the restaurant at the time I took it over and now we have invested again.”
He said work to revamp two of his other restaurants – at Halifax and in Leeds near the St John’s Shopping Centre – was now under way with the long-term aim to similarly upgrade all 24 of his sites over the next four-and-a-half years.
Pritpal’s McDonald’s “estate” also includes the restaurant at Gallagher Retail Park, Waterloo.
Nationally, McDonald’s and its franchisees aim to revamp about 1,200 restaurants over the next four-and-a-half years.
The Kirkgate restaurant – which is run by Pritpal as a joint venture with McDonald’s – opens 24/7 and employs 81 staff.
Said Pritpal: “We have outperformed on sales and we are on course for our best-ever Christmas.
“The work on the restaurant has been well worth it when you see the end result.
“The staff have really got to grips with it quickly and they are seeing the benefit of the two types of service platform.
“It has also been well-received by the Huddersfield public.”
He said: “As a local businessman, I understand the importance of investing in the community, so it’s great to be able to play a part in the regeneration of the area and bring an extra boost to the local economy.
“It’s not just about providing a fresh, new environment, though. I also believe in investing in my people and am delighted to be able to create around five new jobs as a result of the re-design.”
