Drive-thru heads for record pace Friday
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on January 31, 2013 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
Jennifer Abing gets a McDonald's smoothie from employee Olivia Springer at the McDonald's on Berkeley Boulevard.
Just beyond the golden arches, in a modest brick building with a burnt red roof, a group of local residents is preparing to chase glory -- a victory that, by 9 a.m. Friday, will be measured in biscuits, McMuffins and sausage gravy.
But breaking a record -- and securing bragging rights -- will not be an easy feat for the staff of the Berkeley Boulevard McDonald's.
So they are giving themselves two opportunities -- two hour-long windows to serve 179 drive-thru customers.
"I guess it's, you know, the competitive side of me," said John Williams, the store's general manager. "We really want to see how many cars we can push through that drive-thru in one hour."
Their first attempt is set to begin at 7 a.m.
And judging by the enthusiasm of many McDonald's breakfast regulars, commuters should expect delays along Berkeley through the store's second attempt, which will run from 8 to 9.
Williams is hopeful his staff -- and loyal customers -- will make history.
Sure, the previous record was set at a McDonald's with side-by-side drive-thrus.
"But it can still be done," Williams said. "Everyone is pretty excited.
For complete coverage of the mayhem, including a photo gallery, videos and interviews with the restaurant's staff, follow the News-Argus in print and at www.NewsArgus.com