The franchisee of the McDonald’s at 1050 N. Broadway that closed on Tuesday says the decision was made by McDonald’s corporate as part of an occasional “screening” the company does of all of its restaurants. The same process resulted in the closure of the McDonald’s in Kingman on the same day, he said. And Anthony’s McDonald’s also was scheduled to close on Oct. 31, but a fire earlier this month shut it down early. Michael Lane, who owns 11 McDonald’s restaurants in the area, said that the company didn’t share with him all the reasoning that led to its decision, but ultimately, he said, it was the company’s choice. “They make the ultimate decision, but as a franchisee, I have to say I understand,” he said. “There are three locations around that one that really serve 80 to 90 percent of the customers in that area, so it made sense to look at it that way and make that tough decision.” In addition to the fact that other McDonald’s restaurants are close by, including the one Michael Lane also owns at Broadway and Waterman, the dawn of digital options like ordering via app or for delivery has changed the number of physical restaurants that are needed in one area.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
