WAKEENEY – The new McDonald’s of WaKeeney and 24/7 Travel Plaza, located at 745 S. First Street, has a fresh and modern look that was unveiled this week during a Trego County Economic Coalition ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Louella Kaiser, WaKeeney Public Library Director, and other library representatives were honored guests at the event as Rick and Gail Kuehl — owners of McDonald’s of WaKeeney, Hays, Colby and Russell — and Jamie and Kelsey Kuehl, operations director and human resource director, McDonald’s of WaKeeney, Hays, Colby, and Russell, recommitted to the community through the new restaurant and a $5,000 investment in the library.
“We are excited about this new opportunity for McDonald’s and the WaKeeney community. We are looking forward to this partnership and providing our customers with a quality experience,” said Gail Kuehl. “We are excited about the changes and hope that people in the community enjoy it too.”
“It will be a great place to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee, surf the Internet or meet up with friends or family,” added Rick Kuehl.
“The style we have chosen for the restaurant is specifically designed to connect our guests with the local community. It tells a local story through impactful imagery and stylized photography. Familiar scenes are incorporated directly into the decor that helps relate to the history and energy of the surrounding communities,” stated Kelsey Kuehl.
The interior design features a wide variety of booths, tables, and chairs that allow customers to choose their own dining experience, whether they are in a hurry or want to create a special moment with friends or family.
The interior also features an updated front counter with Dual Point Service and a full McCafe specialty menu. Dual Point Service creates two separate points of service, an order point and a pick up point, to make the ordering process easier and faster. Also, customers will be able to enjoy a full menu of McCafé specialty beverages, including hot drinks such as mochas, lattes, and hot chocolates, as well as cold drinks such as iced mochas, iced coffees, frappes and real fruit smoothies.
“We are changing with the times – and never stop looking for ways to improve,” said Jamie Kuehl, director of operations. “Our new McDonald’s speaks to the needs of our customers and our community. We want our customers to enjoy every part of the McDonald’s experience.”
If customers are in a hurry and cannot stop inside for their favorite McDonald’s meal, the restaurant’s drive-through has a two-lane ordering system. This will make placing and picking up orders faster and easier than ever as will expanded parking and improved handicapped accessibility.
The McDonald’s of WaKeeney general manager and first assistant manager have been a part of the McDonald’s of WaKeeney team since its opening Oct. 26, 1995, and have a combined McDonald’s tenure of 43 years. Diana Schonthaler, general manager, began with the Kuehl organization as a crew member at McDonald’s of North Hays in 1991, and rose through the ranks to her present position in 1995. Schonthaler has been named a regional outstanding store manager four times. Kellin Fagan, first assistant manager, joined the North Hays team in 1994 and attained his current position in 1995. One other team member, Peggy Lang, shift manager, has been with the McDonald’s of WaKeeney team, since the restaurant opened in its former location in 1995.
“Triplett Inc. and 24/7 Travel Stores has been a part of the WaKeeney community for 28 years and has been extremely pleased with the local support we have received through those years. This support lead us to believe that it was time to invest in a flagship operation and a partnership with the best in the business. That is, of course, McDonalds,” stated Mark Augustine, president of Triplett Inc. “We couldn’t be happier to partner with Rick and Gail Kuehl to provide the residents of WaKeeney and the road warriors that may only be here a short while a new-age Travel Store we can all be extremely proud of. Rick and Gail and their team have dedicated themselves to this project and need to be commended for all the time and effort to make this day such a success. It has also been a pleasure working with the local government and businesses to complete this project, and we hope this state-of-the-art 24/7 Travel Store and McDonalds is a representation of WaKeeney for years to come.”
McDonald’s of WaKeeney and 24/7 Travel Place Grand Opening activities taking place include:
Saturday, Sept. 20
20% discount off all McDonald’s menu items from 6am-11pm
Starting at 6am, free menu item punch cards will be given away to the first 200 drive thru customers (with any purchase). Four types of punch cards will be randomly distributed with each valid for a free item once a week for a year: Big Mac sandwich, Egg McMuffin® sandwich, McCafe beverage (medium-size) of your choice, and a large-size Coca-Cola. These punch cards have a total value over $32,000.
From 11am-1pm: Grimace and Hamburglar will be available to pose for pictures. Remember to bring your camera!
Carnival games/activities: free fun for children including prizes.
Scavenger hunt: within 24/7 property with prizes awarded for completing.
Plinko game: any 24/7 Travel Plaza customer who buys fuel can play for a prize (such as free gas, product samples, coupons, etc.)
Through Sept. 20 to 30, customers can register to win giveaways to include:
FHSU Football Package-includes four reserved tickets for Tiger vs. Missouri Southern game on 11/8/14 with a 2pm kickoff. Package includes sideline access during the 1st quarter and a concession package. The concession package includes hot dogs, popcorn and large soft drinks for four. (Retail value of $100 retail value compliments of FHSU Athletic Dept.);
FHSU Basketball Package-includes four upper level reserved tickets for Tigers vs. Northeastern State game on 1/17/15. Game time is 2pm for the women’s game and 4pm for the men’s game. Package also includes hot dogs, popcorn and large soft drinks for four. (Retail value of $100 retail value compliments of FHSU Athletic Dept.); and
Kansas City Chiefs Package – includes two reserved tickets and a parking pass for the Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks game on 11/16/14. (Retail value of $250 compliments of Earp Distribution)
30” Coca-Cola Plush Polar Bear ($90 retail value)
Sept. 21 to 30, special offers include:
$1.00 Sausage McGriddles sandwich;
$1.99 any Happy Meal; and
McCafe Happy Hour (2-5pm daily): $1 off any medium or large-size McCafe beverage.
During the month of October, customer receipts collected from McDonald’s of WaKeeney, Hays, Colby and Russell will be worth triple points in conjunction with the McDonald’s Neighbors Program. Collect receipts and drop them off at your local school to help the school receive a wide variety of high-quality educational resources for free.