McDonald’s set to build new store in Malakoff

By Michael V. Hannigan

The McDonald’s in Malakoff is going to get an upgrade — a big one.

Kevin and Jeaneane Lilly, owners of the Malakoff McDonald’s, said this week the operation would be moving from its present location as part of the Exxon station on State Highway 31 to a stand alone restaurant on the opposite corner, across State Highway 198.

The work will begin in early September and the new store should be open by Christmas. In the meantime, the current restaurant will continue to operate until about a week or two before the new store opens.

“I think this will help Malakoff grow,” Mr. Lilly said. “I think it is going to help the tax base and I think it is going to bring in some other competition, probably. But that will be good for everybody. Maybe more people will eat at home in Malakoff.”

Mr. Lilly said the plan is to start by removing the building currently on the corner and leveling the site.

“We’re going down to dirt,” he said

The store itself will be like the one the Lilly’s recently built in Mabank, but the interior design will be completely unique. In fact, Mr. Lilly said he only knows of one other McDonald’s with this particular interior, and that is in Colorado.

“It will be unique to all McDonald’s in this area,” Mr. Lilly said. “No one will have something similar.”

The morning coffee drinkers in Malakoff will be interested to know that the design includes a couch.

Unfortunately, there will not be a playground in the store. There is not enough room in the design, Mr. Lilly said.

The new location will have two entrances, one each off of 31 and 198. It will also feature a double drive thru capable of handling 140 cars an hour, Mrs. Lilly said.

The home office, Lilly Enterprises, is located in Athens, but Malakoff is more than just another store for the Lillys. Malakoff is also home. Mr. Lilly said the Malakoff McDonald’s is his first stop in the morning and often his last stop before getting home at night.

“It has been a great relationship (with Malakoff). We work closely with the Education Foundation at the school,” Mr. Lilly said. “The chamber and the rotary club have always embraced us and been very warm and supported us and we’ve tried to support their efforts.”