WCAC

The McDonald’s at 789 Main Street is actually listed as a “dive thru” on a company website. 

 

Given its age and history, it’s a fitting description for a lovably run-down restaurant with a reliable drive thru. And now it will be completely rebuilt.

2-Lane Drive Thru

Last month, the city council approved a special permit modification for the Main Street McDonald’s.

 

This rendering gives an idea of what the rebuilt Waltham location could look like, featuring a two-lane drive thru offering speedier service.

 

The restaurant will continue to be operated by the Hogan Company, a McDonald’s franchisee with 23 restaurants. The current location in Waltham dates back to 1991.

 

Company officials wanted to open for 24 hours. The council’s Ordinances and Rules Committee rejected that condition, but allowed for extended 2:00 a.m. drive thru hours similar to a Wendy’s across the street.

Hogan Company officials could not be reached for comment on a potential start date for the project, but owner/operator Rich Hogan characterized the construction timeline as “between 100 and 120 days.”

No more “dive thrus”?

Waltham once had quite a few run-down fast food chains.

 

But as Chipotles and Paneras have arrived, the Main Street KFC, Moody Street Burger King and Main Street Wendy’s have all been modernized, reflecting Waltham’s growing gentrification.

 

There are actually electric vehicle chargers in the parking lot of the Moody Street BK.

After the Main Street McDonald’s rebuild is complete, the only dated burger chain left will be the Lexington Street Burger King, which is showing its age.

 

The Lexington Street McDonald’s, now a Chipotle, had many 1-star reviews on Yelp before it closed in 2017.