The golden arches have risen in Innisfil once more.
After years of going without a franchise in town, a new McDonald’s restaurant has opened. Located at 40 King St. S. in Cookstown, the site is being operated by franchisees Jason and Jennifer O’Neill, who are well known in the Barrie, Bradford and Orillia communities, operating restaurants throughout the region for more than 18 years.
“We’re just super excited to embrace the community that’s growing,” Jason said. “We want to embrace that growth. We’re prepared to take care of the guests in the area. We’re proud to be a wonderful employer for youth. I love working with my employees, but also being part of an organization that can have a big impact on our communities that we live, work and play in.”
In 2022, the O’Neills were awarded the Fred L. Turner Award for Outstanding Service, the highest recognition that’s given to the top one per cent of McDonald’s franchisees globally. It is awarded to those who put their guests and people first, lead with integrity and promote inclusion.
Over the years, they’ve donated more than $200,000 to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie, and over $500,000 to Ronald McDonald House Toronto.
“Jason and I recently chaired the RVH Call of the Wild Gala, where funds raised will go to patient care and to support the facility being built in Innisfil,” Jennifer said.
In a recent statement, the company called the O'Neills "passionate supporters of Ronald McDonald House Charities and helping families stay close to their sick children."
McHappy Day proceeds from their Bradford location went to Southlake Health over the past six years, specifically the Maternal Child Program for needed equipment in the NICU and birthing department.
And the O’Neills have also supported the YMCA, the Barrie Food Bank, Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka and the MacLaren Art Centre.
Innisfil had gone more than a decade without a McDonald’s, with the last restaurant — located near the intercharge at highways 400 and 89 — shutting its doors in 2013.
The new Cookstown restaurant is open 24 hours per day and it has a menu that includes all the standard McDonald's fare, including Chicken McNuggets, the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, McFlurry and Happy Meal. A grand opening will be held in late January.
More details can be found at mcdonalds.com.
