Milton McDonald’s holds grand opening

McDonald’s in Milton held a grand-opening ceremony Dec. 17, that included a ribbon cutting and a ceremonial first bite.

Franchisee Mike Meoli, whose Meoli Companies owns 37 McDonald’s franchises in the Delmarva area, said he views the Milton McDonald’s as more than just a restaurant; he sees it as a place for people to gather and be a vital part of the Milton community.

The 4,000-square-foot restaurant at the corner of Route 16 and Union Street Extended went through a lengthy review process with the town before it could come to fruition.

“We worked with the town and with the planning commission to try to put together a building that was in keeping with the historic nature of this town,” Meoli said. “I think the exterior of this building is phenomenal. It does not look like a traditional McDonald’s. It fits this corner very well.”

Meoli said while McDonald’s is a large global brand, Meoli Companies as franchisee is locally owned and operated. The Milton McDonald’s employs more than 60 people, he said. 

The grand opening included remarks by Milton Mayor John Collier, who welcomed McDonald’s to the Milton community, and Milton Chamber of Commerce President Aaron Rogers, who told of his experience working at McDonald’s as a young man. Rogers even brought out a copy of his first paycheck.

To show McDonald’s commitment to the Milton community, Meoli and his wife, Kelli, announced two charitable donations to local organizations: $2,500 each to the Milton Community Food Pantry and Milton Community Foundation. 

The event closed with a ceremony Meoli said he likes to do at his restaurants: a ceremonial first bite. McDonald’s employees brought out burgers, nuggets, fries and cookies, and everyone on hand was encouraged to take a bite to christen the new restaurant. 

The new McDonald’s took a little less than four months to go from groundbreaking in August to opening to the public Dec. 11.