McDonald’s Townsville Lakes store undergoes $3.5m upgrade, in a boost for region

Dramatic changes are underway to transform McDonald’s store at the Lakes, creating jobs and ensuring you get your food faster. Check out the conceptual images.

McDonald’s Townsville licensee Paul Rissman and Phoenix Constructions director Nathan Evennett at McDonalds Lakes, where construction work is underway. Picture: Leighton Smith.

An exciting $3.5 million transformation has begun at North Queensland’s first McDonald’s store, which will boost its offering, drive local employment, and ensure that orders are handed to hungry customers sooner.

Townsville-based Phoenix Constructions began upgrading the McDonald’s Townsville Lakes store on February 10, to create a new-look exterior, terrace, dining room upgrade and extension, additional, amenities, digital play in the new playground (PlayPlace), a new delivery area, and a repositioned front counter and McCafé.

Expected to be complete by mid to late June, the construction process will be delivered in phases, with the store continuing to trade, other than a two week shutdown in March.

During the shutdown, major kitchen works will be undertaken, including retiling, installation of a new switchboard and kitchen platform, along with assorted works in the front and back of house.

Locals still share stories with McDonald’s Townsville Licensee Paul Rissman about how they lined up at the Townsville Lakes store in 1988, to be among the first to sample some of the restaurant’s popular menu items, like the Big Mac.

Construction barriers have gone up around McDonalds Lakes. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Initially employed by McDonald’s as a crew member over 32 years ago, Mr Rissman is now the franchisee for eight restaurants in the North Queensland region – Aitkenvale, Ayr, Ingham, Townsville Lakes, Townsville North Shore, Townsville Rasmussen, Townsville Thuringowa and Townsville Willows.

He was excited to discuss the ambitious refurbishment of their most popular store at the Lakes, where its 150 staff served 707,000 customers in 2024, including delivery.

A barrier has gone up inside McDonalds Lakes where construction is underway. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“It’s an iconic store and it’s time for a face lift. The renovation will be quite significant, and it’ll really elevate the brand,” Mr Rissman said.

“The business has evolved with delivery, McCafe, and drive through. Part of the evolution of McDonald’s is the platforms and the operational capability.

“It’s important that we invest to make the workflow better for the staff and make it faster and quicker and more efficient for the customers.”

Conceptual image of the exterior of McDonald’s Townsville Lakes following its refurbishment. Picture: DM2 Architecture.

He said the project would inject over $3.5 million into the local economy, create over 100 jobs for local construction workers and 50 additional roles for restaurant employees.

“Reinvestment is an important part of our ongoing commitment to providing customers with the best possible experience when they visit our restaurants,” he said.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience over the coming months and look forward to welcoming them to the newly refurbished McDonald’s Townsville Lakes.”

Conceptual image of the exterior of McDonald’s Townsville Lakes following its refurbishment. Picture: Supplied.

The changes were part of the national commitment for McDonald’s to open 100 new restaurants and remodel half of existing restaurants by the end of 2025.

After remodelling the North Shore and Fairfield Waters stores last year, Mr Rissman said they would upgrade their Aitkenvale store later this year and review the rest of the stores in the coming years.

He also revealed that plans had been lodged with the council to open a new store in Deeragun within the next two years.

Phoenix Constructions director Nathan Evennett and McDonald’s Townsville licensee Paul Rissman in front of the construction site at McDonalds Lakes. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Mr Rissman and fellow Townsville Licensee Janelle Doyle are working together to support the community through providing jobs, training and development opportunities, as well as supporting local causes and groups including McDonald’s Townsville Running Festival, North Queensland Cowboys, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Townsville Fire.

McDonald’s is currently hiring a variety of crew, barista, management and maintenance roles in restaurants across Townsville.

For more information, visit: careers.mcdonalds.com.au. 

Originally published as McDonald’s Townsville Lakes store undergoes $3.5m upgrade, in a boost for region