McDonald's is one of the most popular fast-food restaurants in the world that was founded in April of 1955. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the McDonald's on 3925 Nazareth Pike, has been around for 37 years.

  Just this past year the owner, Robert Hughes, decided it was time for a change. The very popular McDonald's that was getting about 70 percent of its business through the drive through, was torn down and prepped for a complete renovation.

  Expectations for this new technologically advanced store were very high, and even though the renovation project took longer than the company had hoped for, the finishing product is being adored by many today.

  ¨The store looks really good. I´ve heard that good feedback comes from that,¨ said Kevin Boehm, crew trainer at McDonald's on Easton Avenue.

  This store features the very first kiosks in the United States. These kiosks are where guests can order for themselves as employees walk around to help them and serve as a GEL or a Guest Experience Lead. The new kiosks do not accept cash of any kind, so all cash must be paid at the front counter with a cashier.

  Nazareth Pike’s store has also been making its way to be known as a dining restaurant as opposed to fast-food, much like the highly popular, Chik-fil-A. After a customer has placed their order either at the kiosks or at the front counter and say that they are dining in, the guest is able to receive a table tent that has a number and a locator showing where that guest has been seated.

  Once the food is up for that order, a zone between one and four will show up on the screen showing where the guest is throughout the store. The servers are to first take their food to the guest’s table and simply turn the table tent on its side, meaning touchpoint one has been completed. Then as the guest is eating, a second touchpoint must be done by taking the table tent from the guest and asking if everything is okay. Lastly, the last touchpoint is taking the customers tray and asking them how their meal was.

  “Rumor has it, that if 191 gets good feedback on the kiosks, our store on Easton Avenue will eventually have a lobby remodeling and we will be adding the kiosks too,” said Boehm.

  All guests should not feel pressured to use the kiosks just because they are there. Some folks do pick ordering from a cashier at the register over a screen, however, more and more customers seem to be trying out the kiosks every day.

  Another new addition to the store is the new and improved service that the employees provide to the guests and even towards their fellow crew. All communication while talking to a guest must be performed with a smile on your face and a positive attitude, a smile must be able to be heard through the drive-thru speaker, not just face-to-face at the window, and everything that is shouted out in the back must be closed by a “please” and a “thank you.”

  ¨I learned that working at McDonald's isn't just an independent working environment. I learned that communication is key when working with others,¨ said Eddie Rodriguez, crew member at Nazareth Pike.

  With its specific location in the area, McDonald’s on 191 tends to get more of its business in drive-thru. During the revamp of the store, the company decided to do something that no other McDonald’s in the area has done, which is creating two drive-thrus. This system was built to provide a smoother drive-thru experience; not only for the guests, but for the workers as well.

  Lastly, the final new addition to the restaurant is the fountain. The fountain is located outside of the store, and can be seen before the drive thru.

  ¨Working at McDonald's not only gave me experience with cooking, but I also met some of the coolest people there,” said Rodriguez.