(UPDATED) [Atlantic, Iowa] – The newly constructed Atlantic McDonald’s restaurant is set to hold what’s known as a “soft opening” for lunch, Thursday, Sept. 15^th, nearly three months after the projected opening date.

Ric Hanson/photos (9/14/22)

The old restaurant – which was 40-years old – closed on March 24^th, and was torn-down. The structure was slated to have been torn-down on February 22^nd, but Atlantic McDonald’s owner operator Blake Zogleman says matters out of their control, plus a wet March, resulted in a bit of an adjustment on the timeline.

Blake’s family has owned the store since 2013 when they purchased it from the Mueller family. It’s not the only restaurant they own, but it does offer a unique opportunity.

He says their hours of operation on Thursday this week, will be from about 11-a.m. Until 11-p.m. Beginning Friday, their regular hours will be from 5-a.m. Until 11-p.m. If you see cars in the parking lot and people going in the store today (Wednesday), it’s because they are hosting an employee and family appreciation dinner, and making sure the equipment is running smoothly and employees are familiar with the brand new equipment.

And yes, the ice cream machine does work!

At some stores, including the old Atlantic McDonald’s, there were some sporadic issues with the machine. Blake said they have a lot of experienced staff working for the new restaurant, and some new faces.

The new store features two drive-through lanes, instead of one, and two side-by-side order points, instead of one, in order to improve service. A grand opening for the Atlantic McDonald’s will take place the first week of November, with additional details to be provided on the Leonard Management McDonald’s Facebook page.

Bishop construction was hired to do the work by McDonald’s Real Estate Company, based in Elkhorn, Neb.