MCDONALD'S has today opened its new restaurant in Highbridge.

The restaurant and drive-thru at Oak Tree Business Park, just off the A38 Bristol Road, welcomed its first customers this morning.

The opening follows ‘significant’ investment from new franchisee Amy Cridland.

The 75-seater restaurant has already created 70 new full and part-time jobs, and recruitment is set to continue. 

The restaurant features table service, self-ordering kiosks, a large outside patio area and a drive-thru with digital menu boards.

The restaurant also has QR codes on the tables which will take customers to the McDonald’s app to order.

A McDelivery service will launch ‘soon’. The opening hours are 6am until 11pm, seven days a week.

The outlet has opened thanks to ‘significant’ investment from local franchisee Amy Cridland.The outlet has opened thanks to ‘significant’ investment from local franchisee Amy Cridland. (Image: McDonald's)

Franchisee Amy, who has worked in the business for 25 years, said: “We are delighted to open a brand-new McDonald’s restaurant in Highbridge and can’t wait to see customers enjoy our services on offer.

“It’s particularly exciting to have opened this new restaurant as McDonald’s celebrates its 50th year in the UK!

“People are at the heart of our business, and we have loved welcoming new employees with the jobs our restaurant has created.

“We’re committed to investing in opportunities for a mix of all ages, life stages and backgrounds, promoting flexibility and equality.”

The Highbridge restaurant has been built as part of McDonald's ‘Convenience of the Future’ programme, which combines a new layout with the latest technology to increase speed, efficiency and choice for customers.

It also has several sustainable innovations as the business works towards its target of achieving net zero emissions across all its restaurants and offices by 2030.

This includes roof-mounted solar panels, a fully modular building which allows it to be reused in future and wall lettering from recycled materials (including McDonald’s own coffee grounds).

McDonald's is also trialling the use of plastic kerbstones made from recycled materials with built-in internal drainage at the Highbridge restaurant.

Greggs is set to open in a neighbouring unit after the bakery chain was given planning permission last year.