MADAWASKA, Maine – For many in Madawaska, an Aroostook County town with a population just under 4,000, McDonald’s was a reliable place where people could pick up a quick meal. Aside from a Tim Hortons, it was also the town’s only fast food establishment with a drive-thru window.
Madawaska had a McDonald’s for nearly 50 years before the restaurant was demolished in 2022 to make way for a new land port of entry and bridge connecting the town to Canada. Now, the bridge is built and many residents want to see the golden arches come back.
“We have had a lot of residents asking us about getting another fast food restaurant in town,” said Madawaska Selectmen Chair Jason Boucher. “Most ask for McDonald’s, but there are a few other choices that are mentioned.”
Boucher said at this point the only path to a McDonald’s revival would be if a new owner approached the town and worked with the company to build another restaurant. So far, there’s no sign of that happening.
Roughly a year before the demolition, when it was clear McDonad’s would close, several people in Madawaska came together and pleaded with the company to build a new location in town. Brian Thibeault, who sat on the board of selectmen at the time, worked with a team to create a video which featured numerous residents and officials explaining why the restaurant is important to the community.
Former Town Manager Gary Picard said at the time that the town’s businesses rely on one another, and the closure of McDonald’s would affect other businesses as well.
With the new bridge and port of entry projects now complete, one resident asked during a recent selectmen meeting if there was any possibility of the town getting another McDonald’s.
Boucher explained how they were unable to find a new owner, and how attempts to work directly with McDonald’s corporate office amid the COVID-19 pandemic were unsuccessful.
“What a lot of people don’t realize is that the businesses have to want to come in,” Boucher said.
He said the town’s selectboard, when McDonald’s closure was imminent, worked hard to see if a new store could be built.
“We had a place for them,” Boucher said. “We had land for them. Everything was ready to go. We also had a grocery store willing to come in at the same time if McDonald’s was willing to come into town.”
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But the pandemic caused economic issues that ultimately ruined the possibility of McDonald’s corporate office deciding to bring another franchise to town.
“McDonald’s numbers in some of the local stores started going down significantly,” Boucher said. “They didn’t find it cost-effective to come to Madawaska anymore. They were the ones who pulled the plug. And this was after months and months of hard work trying to get them to come down.”
At the time, Boucher said they were planning to have the new McDonald’s located in the town’s Midtown Plaza on Main Street. The town has since worked with Fish River Rural Health to bring their future facility to the plaza. Fish River Rural Health held a ribbon cutting event for this new facility, which is set for completion in late 2025, earlier this year in June.
Boucher said in an email that the previous owner decided not to reopen after the Madawaska McDonald’s was closed in October of 2021.
Boucher said the only possibility of resurrecting the franchise in Madawaska is if someone was interested in opening it themselves, which requires a significant investment of time, money and effort.
Anyone interested in starting a franchise will need to undergo a training program that can take up to a year, according to McDonald’s online franchising resources. It includes both practical and classroom experience related to running the business.
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The initial investment alone for a McDonald’s franchise typically ranges from $1.3 to $2.3 million. Boucher said this includes costs for equipment, seating, signage, decor and construction.
The franchise fee alone is $45,000, and McDonald’s also requires prospective franchisees to have at least $500,000 in liquid assets to even be considered.
Even if an investor or potential owner met these requirements, they would still need to set up the restaurant on a site approved by the company. And since McDonald’s often owns or leases the land and building, the franchisee would need to enter into a lease agreement with McDonald’s.
“After successful completion of the training program, McDonald’s, in its sole and absolute discretion, will inform a candidate of available McDonald’s franchise opportunities for purchase,” the company said on its website.
They would also need to enter a franchise agreement with McDonald’s, and these typically last 20 years.
“Opening a McDonald’s franchise is a significant commitment,” Boucher said. “But it can be a rewarding investment for those who meet the requirements and are willing to put in the necessary effort.”
