By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
It was supposed to be a 12-week job. It was completed in 11 weeks and the store owners, employees and customers were very happy to be back.
McDonald’s of NorthHays, 3406 Vine, just celebrated its 39th anniversary with a remodel of the restaurant, inside and out.
“We are changing with the times, and never stop looking for ways to improve,” said Rick Kuehl, during a recent Hays Area of Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting celebration. Kuehl and his wife Gail, Hays, are owners of both McDonald’s in Hays as well as the McDonald’s in Russell and WaKeeney.
“Back then (in 1979), it was a much smaller building and a much different operation than now,” Kuehl told the crowd. “And none of this would have been possible without our customers and their support.”
The building and its operation have changed several times over the years. This renovation displaced a dedicated coffee group. “They had to go find someplace else to drink coffee and now they’re back,” Kuehl said, pointing to them with a smile.
“Back then, the McDonald’s breakfast menu was new. We had a single drive-through and order point. When we opened in 1979 in Hays, it wasn’t the same McDonald’s store my dad started with, No. 71 in St. Louis, in 1958. My first job was with that McDonald’s. It was all male employees selling hamburgers, cheese burgers, french fries, soft drinks and shakes.
“Now, this is what we sell,” Kuehl said as he pointed to the new digital menu boards behind the front counter. The selections include many more food and drink options than the original five.
One of the Kuehl’s sons, Jamie Kuehl and his wife Kelsey, are the owner-operators of two McDonald’s restaurant in Dodge City.
“I would venture to say that Jamie would say his McDonald’s are not mine — his father’s restaurants – and the way we started,” Kuehl said, “and, we all continue to evolve. Our new McDonald’s speaks to the needs of our customers and our community. The space is more open, we have more outlets for electronics and we have more ordering options for our customers in this digital world.
“I’d watch people with their computer looking around for the plug-in. Now, I think they’re available every four to six feet. You should be able to charge any device you’ve got for as long as you want to.”
Other changes include expanded drink options at the self-serve beverage bar.
There are now four ways to order – on a smart phone, at one of the two new double-sided digital kiosks in the restaurant lobby, at the drive-through with new digital menus, and still, the traditional face-to-face experience at the counter. To make in-person ordering easier and faster, a new modular front counter has been installed with separate order and pick up points.
“This is really the centerpiece of the change in this store – service and taking care of the customer,” said Kuehl.
Customers choosing to use the self-order touch screen kiosks will select their items, pay with a credit or debit card, and then pick up a digital locator to be placed on their table where employees will bring the order to the customer.
“We’ve now gone from two order points to six order points. This is the future, an extension of your mobile devices, and you don’t have to stand in line.”
Kuehl said he and his family had just returned from Disney where some of the restaurants utilize similar kiosks. “It’s so slick. You’re in and you’re out.”
Customers placing an order on their smartphone will use the McDonald’s Mobile App. “We have a daughter-in-law who has mastered this,” Kuehl quipped.
Orders are made and paid for online.
“Once you pull on the McDonald’s lot, your phone will say ‘Welcome. Are you going to come inside to get your order, get it in the drive-through or do you want it brought to your vehicle in one of the two designated parking stalls?’ Our daughter-in-law pulls into Stall 4, doesn’t have to get the kids out of the vehicle. She can play with them for a couple of minutes and then here comes the food, already paid for. Then they’re off.”
“That’s the future.”
There are about 70 team members in the north restaurant’s “McFamily,” including manager Kirsten Barnes who began as a crew member in 2003. “I’ve known Kirsten 18 years,” Gail Kuehl said, “because we met when she was in DECA at Hays High School.”
Two supervisors have been there much longer. Ric Leiker began his McDonald’s career at NorthHays in 1979 and Stacy McKennon in 1980.
Another upgrade can be seen in the west side of the restaurant which houses the new indoor PlayPlace, including a three-story playground complete with a slide, toddler area, Touch2Play entertainment computer tablets and an electronic U-Create table.
The area is more open and has more seating than the previous play space.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, the Kuehls, longtime supporters of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, presented a $10,000 check to Director Reese Barrick for updates to the Children’s Discovery Room.