The former Arby's restaurant at 11710 Rockville Pike, which has sat vacant since it closed in May of 2021, has finally gained a new tenant. McDonald's has leased the building, which will now be remodeled into the newest location of the Golden Arches in Montgomery County, and slightly enlarged. With an existing McDonald's only a block away at 11564 Rockville Pike, it appears that this may be more of a relocation than an addition. It's shocking that rapidly-expanding chains like Jack-in-the-Box, Cookout, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Shake Shack and Raising Cane's passed on this prime location in a densely-populated area, but count on McDonald's to realize the value of prime real estate, and of an amenity their current White Flint McDonald's lacks - a drive-thru.
Didn't McDonald's just, just, just complete a top-to-bottom renovation of their current location, at the Pike and Marinelli? It must be nice to have money like that to toss around so freely.
ReplyDelete"I bought this new house because the trash pails were full in the old one."
Makes sense to move if they can add a drive thru. Consumers expect a drive thru.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it's 24 hours.
Is the lot big enough to accommodate a drive-thru lane?
ReplyDelete10:53 That land is supposed to be redeveloped. And long-term, I think the land the Arby's is on will inevitably be redeveloped as well. It's too valuable for a pair of standalone restaurants.
ReplyDeleteSmart move for McDonald's. Metro Pike Plaza (next to the current McDonald's) is ripe for redevelopment, which would make life miserable for McDonald's. This would give them more space and the drive-thru.
ReplyDeleteThe current McDonalds is right next to the Metro station so it is probably going to be redeveloped.
ReplyDeleteMACdonald's HAS the meat.! ...for sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteI still miss the Burger Chef that used to operate where McDonald's is currently. Far and away the best cheeseburgers of any chain, ever. And, since I'm feeling nostalgic, I'll put in a plug for Serio's, the fabulous, seemingly gigantic produce stand that eventually moved to the south side of the Pike, setting up shop next to the 7-11 after being ejected from its decades-old spot in the [then totally undeveloped] field across the road, which was commandeered for either the Red Line or the NRC tower, I've forgotten which. This was back in the days before Old George or Marinelli Drive had been cut through on the north side of the Pike.
ReplyDeleteI am old. My soup is cold.
And the golf ball driving range!
DeleteArby's was always one of the better FF places, too bad no more Rax.
ReplyDeleteA Roy Rogers would be good, plus they're still pretty much local and carry on the Marriott classier panache tho no longer owned by Marriott.
McD's is not very high on my list.
As long as they Finally put in a DRIVE THRU, I’m fine with it !
ReplyDeleteTired of always driving all the way down to the River Rd McDonalds to get Drive Thru.
Another reason for more bike lanes!
DeleteThe mobile app is super easy to use and they have curbside delivery.
DeleteI remember reading a few years ago that BF Saul had planned to redevelop the current McDonald's with a 30 story residential tower. Maybe that is back in the offing.
ReplyDeleteI realize I am probably in the minority, but I prefer McDonald's curbside pick-up using the app to idling in a long and slow-moving drive-thru line.
I am driving up to the NEW Location to see if it looks like it’s big enough for a Drive-Thru Lane.
ReplyDeleteVery unfortunate. Many, many more and better options some of which you mentioned here. Shocked actually that Starbucks (yawn) didn't go in there with their drive thru. McD has a drive thru right down Rockville Pike. Ok, this is larger but still. Boring.
ReplyDelete@5:02 - Are you that directionally challenged to not notice the closet drive thru is just 1.5 mi. north on the Pike?
ReplyDeleteBoth are equally adept at messing up your orders!
ReplyDelete