Duke students will have to wait just a few more weeks until they can munch on Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets.
Originally set to open in mid- to late-October, McDonald's has been saddled with a series of setbacks. The opening date was first changed to Thanksgiving week, but when electrical problems made that date unfeasible, the opening was pushed back to the first week in December.
The restaurant was not receiving enough electrical output for its grills and fryers, said owner Ric Richards, so a new transformer had to be added to boost the power.
Jim Wulforst, director of Dining Services, added that the construction has been delayed because the original floor plan was revised numerous times.
While the restaurant should be fully operational before winter break, Richards decided to start the grand opening celebrations when everyone returns in January.
"We are very excited about our progress and can't wait to open," he said.
Students had mixed reactions toward the delays. "It's pretty annoying. If I had known it would take this long I would have preferred a Burger King," said Pratt junior Brian Savage.
On the other hand, some students expressed fast-food apathy. "I don't like McDonald's and I don't care when it opens," said Trip Brenner, a Trinity freshman.
Wulforst, however, said he eagerly awaits the eatery's grand opening.
Richards, who owns seven other McDonald's in the Triangle area, said he might have raffles and give-aways to celebrate the restaurant's opening. "Who knows? We might even have an appearance from Ronald McDonald himself," he added.
In response to students who shun greasy fast food, Richards said that McDonald's will offer grilled chicken sandwiches and two types of salad. "Because everything is made-to-order, all of our dishes are fresh," he said.
Richards also said he is confident the restaurant will be successful. "We are filling a niche on campus. Duke's got everything covered-chicken, Chinese food, bagels, Tex-Mex," he said. "The only thing that's missing is a hamburger place."
Carolyn Austin, who works as a training manger for McDonald's, will temporarily serve as a general manger until a permanent replacement is found. She said they will begin recruiting staff soon. "Sure, I would love to hire Duke students," she said, speculating that the wages might attract students with restaurant experience.
"We want to have a working friendship with Duke," Austin said, adding that the restaurant might have tie-ins with Duke sports events.
Richards, a Duke alumnus, said he regrets the construction setbacks, but that the complications were unforeseeable.
"I just want to give everyone a big McThanks for being so patient," he said.
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