The new set of golden arches stand on the western verge of the Town of Stettler, a second McDonalds franchise that is now open to the public.
For the first three weeks, the fast-food restaurant's "grand opening," owner Gurpreet Takhar is giving back to the community.
"Over the next three weeks, 25 cents from every baked cookie will go to Heartland Youth Centre," Takhar said. "It's important to do things with our community."
Takhar, who also owns the McDonalds in Walmart, got his start as a "crew-kid in the back," he revealed. He went on to own the McDonalds here, in Rocky Mountain House and Lacombe.
The second restaurant isn't meant to decrease the value found at the Walmart location, he noted. As a Walmart restaurant, it has limited space and a limited menu, and he wanted to expand to offer Stettler the full variety of foods offered by the franchise.
The double-lane drive-through is designed to help keep things going, and with three drive through windows – one to pay, and two to pick up, there's no more getting stuck behind someone with a large order while you're just getting a coffee, Takhar said.
The restaurant makes use of cutting edge technology, with self-serve kiosks, an automated soft-drink system for the drive through, coffee grinder for the McCafe coffees, and a new bakery that will allow the store to offer fresh baked items like cookies, croissants, and more.
For Takhar, though, the most important part of the restaurant is the people. The staff area in the back is well insulated, to give staff a quiet place for their breaks. Prior to the public opening, Takhar held a staff-and-family opening, with special guests from the community also invited.
"It's their McDonald's as much as it is mine," he said. "They work hard for us. People are the most important part of the job, and the opportunities are endless."
Ronald McDonald will be in town on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. to help celebrate the new location.