McDonald's Dundalk celebrates 25th birthday

McDonald’s Dundalk has celebrated its milestone 25th birthday. Franchisee Elaine Sterio and the team at the Dundalk Shopping Centre restaurant marked the 25th anniversary of the opening of the restaurant on 19 July 1999. 

Opening with just 36 members of staff, the restaurant now employees over 105 local people, with full-time and part-time positions ranging from crew member to managerial posts.  

The restaurant says it is proud to have many long serving crew members with the longest serving on the team being Sheila Williams with 25 years, along with Amy O’Hare and John Stewart, both with 24 years’ service. All three started working as teenagers in the restaurant and have progressed through the ranks to senior management roles in McDonald’s. 

During the past 25 years the restaurant has had a number of major upgrades, including several re-images, the development of its dual-lane drive-thru as well as introducing digital kiosks, table service and McDelivery.

McDonald’s Dundalk Franchisee Elaine Sterio commented: “We are delighted to be celebrating our 25th milestone birthday at Dundalk. We have continually invested in upgrading and improving the restaurant, introducing new technology and innovations through McDonald’s programmes such as ‘Convenience of the Future’ – aimed at enhancing our customer journey and crew experience.

“Serving excellent, high-quality food made from locally sourced produce is a continued focus at Dundalk, thanks to longstanding relationships with brilliant supply chain partners such as Kerry Group, Moy Park, Dawn Meats, Lee Strand and Greenfield Foods. 

“A constant throughout our 25 years at the Dundalk restaurant has been our loyal customer base, made up of local stalwarts, who have visited the restaurant often several times a week and have very much become part of ‘the McFamily’ here.” 

The Dundalk team’s commitment to serving the local community and the wider area has remained an “overarching focus” for the restaurant since 1999 according to Elaine. “We take great pride in the longstanding relationships we have forged and nurtured with local schools, community groups and sports clubs,” she added.

“We are proud to support and encourage them across the years, celebrating their achievements and all that they do to impact so positively on the lives of children and adults in the local area.” 

Paying tribute to the staff at the restaurant, Elaine said: “I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to every member of our superb team at Dundalk. They are such a brilliant and enthusiastic team who always strive to deliver the best experience possible for our customers every day.

"Our success can be credited to them. The best part of working in McDonald’s is the people you meet and work with every day. I can’t imagine doing anything else and I look forward to the next 25 years in Dundalk!”