Chamber patron opens 22nd restaurant following huge investment
Chamber patron and board member Doug Wright was joined by West Midlands mayor Andy Street and Michelin star chef Aktar Islam for the opening of his 22nd McDonald 's restaurant.
The new restaurant is on Walsall Road in Perry Barr, just a short walk from the Alexander Stadium which will host the opening ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in just a few days ' time.
The new opening comes as McDonald 's announced an investment of more than £250 million over the next four years in a Convenience of the Future programme to redesign some of its restaurant estate.
The key innovations that McDonald 's will roll out across its estate as part of its Convenience of the Future programme, include a dedicated courier waiting area to reduce congestion in the dining area, a new and bigger kitchen design and improved car park layout and improve break spaces for staff.
Eight electric vehicle rapid chargers - installed by InstaVolt - are also available for customers to use as the business looks to play its part in a greener economic recovery.
With the addition of this restaurant, Mr Wright will now employ more than 2,500 people across the region under the umbrella of his company Wright Restaurants (T/A McDonald 's).
He said: “My team and I are excited to have opened a brand-new McDonald 's restaurant in Perry Barr.
“It 's fantastic to be able to offer more jobs within the local area with great training opportunities for everyone. Our investment in Convenience of the Future will deliver a quicker and more seamless experience for our customers, delivery partners and crew and it paves the way for further innovation as we continue to respond to evolving needs.
“We 're looking forward to seeing our customers enjoy our services on offer. ”
Pictured (l to r): Sarah Carter (McDonald 's vice-president of operations for the north), Aktar Islam, Doug Wright and Chamber CEO Henrietta Brealey