Fast food juggernaut McDonald’s is getting on with business, after closing a prominent restaurant on the Sunshine Coast.
McDonald’s Sunshine Plaza, within the Sunshine Coast’s largest shopping centre, was shut to the surprise of many on Christmas Eve.
Sunshine Coast News understands the store was closed so that McDonald’s could focus on its other 10 restaurants in the region.
A spokesperson for the chain acknowledged the patrons who frequented the store, which was packed at times and a favourite haunt for many.
“We would like to thank our customers for their support and look forward to continuing to serve the local community at our nearby restaurants, including McDonald’s Kuluin, Maroochydore and Minyama,” they said.
The spokesperson said McDonald’s had notified people that the store would be closing, and staff were invited to work at other outlets on the Sunshine Coast.
“We informed customers through in-restaurant signage, and all employees were offered a position in nearby restaurants,” they said.
It was the second McDonald’s store to close in the area within the past four years.
A standalone restaurant on Brisbane Road at Mooloolaba finished operating in 2019.
There are three other McDonald’s stores within 7.5km of Sunshine Plaza – at Aerodrome Rd (2.4km), Indiana Place (5.1km) and Nicklin Way (7.2km) – and another seven in the greater region, including a new one at booming Aura, which opened late last year.
“McDonald’s has been a part of the Sunshine Coast community for more than 30 years, providing jobs, contributing to the local economy and supporting local causes,” the spokesperson said.
Sunshine Plaza centre manager Michael Manwaring could not provide further details about the closure of the store or the future of the now boarded site.
“While we can’t discuss details of individual rental agreements, we value each retailer and always welcome the opportunity to discuss arrangements,” he said.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to evolve the centre to ensure we continually meet the changing needs of our customers and the community.”
McDonald’s employee Ava Melit was manager at the store before it was wound up.
She said many customers were shocked to find out about store’s impending closure in the weeks leading up to it shutting.
“Lots of people were surprised,” she said, before adding that customers were given plenty of notice.
“We told people and we had signs on the door for a while notifying them.”
She said staff were looked after.
“We were given notice and have been transferred to other stores,” Ms Melit said, adding that she was set to work at the Minyama store.
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