By SUSAN WORLEY
Star-Tribune Staff Writer | Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2012 4:17 pm
GRETNA — McDonald’s owner Larry McCarty says the Gretna restaurant will open Oct. 31.
Work began Aug. 6, following a prayer circle of owners, friends, builders and town leaders asking for God’s blessing on the project.
Owners Larry and Donna McCarty and their daughter Amanda Rucker of Rocky Mount said they wanted to start things off right.
The McCartys, who own a McDonald’s in Rocky Mount, were pleased when McDonald’s approached them about starting a location in Gretna.
The small town atmosphere and friendly people convinced them it was the right thing to do.
The restaurant is located at the corner of Vaden Drive (Route 40) and Main Street (U.S. 29, Business).
The lot is adjoining The Junction at Gretna Shopping Center and Sparkle and Shine Car Wash.
Kenny Waters, the general manager in Rocky Mount, will get the restaurant started in Gretna.
Approximately 50 employees have been hired.
“The quality of people we have found to be employees is great,” said McCarty.
“Our philosophy is to hire people, tell them what we expect of them, and promote from within,” he added.
“Above all we stress that the customer is most important.”
The restaurant’s design is similar to the McDonald’s at Tightsqueeze in Chatham.
There will be seating for 66.
The hours of operation are expected to be 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 a.m. until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
The restaurant will be accessible from the shopping center and offers a double entrance “drive-thru” with a primary lane and secondary lane.
There will be 30 parking spaces including two spaces for handicapped parking.