McDonald's emerges after a Big Mac-over

The Whitefish McDonald’s recently went through a major remodel inside and out, giving it a fresh look.

The dining room re-opened Saturday with a brighter interior marked by blues and grays, and more comfy seating. The outside of the building also underwent an upgrade adding stonework and architectural detail.

“It’s bright and really has a new modern look,” said owner Chris Jahnke, standing inside the dining room. “It has more open space and more seating that’s more comfortable.”

Jahnke has a history with the Whitefish restaurant, helping open it in 1981 as the shift manager.

“It’s been through a couple remodels since then, but it was time for it to happen again,” she said. “There is a push to modernize the restaurants by 2020 and we decided to take the leap and go for it. It was time for it to be redone — it was dated.”

Chris, along with her husband Bud and son D.J. own the Whitefish McDonald’s. The Jahnke family took over ownership of five McDonald’s franchises in the Flathead Valley in spring 2018, purchasing them from the Hadwin family.

In addition to the Whitefish McDonald’s, they own three restaurants in Kalispell and one in Libby. The stores have all or are going to be going through remodels.

D.J. Jahnke said the family has always been interested in keeping their restaurants feeling relevant.

“We’ve always been about keeping up to date,” he said.

“We want to give customers a great experience,” Chris adds. “We’re so happy we did this.”

The remodel upgraded every aspect of the restaurant from those noticeable to customers — the dining room and bathrooms are all completely revamped — but also major improvements for operations like in the kitchen, such as adding a new freezer and fridge in an improved location, as well as upgraded drainage for the building.

In the dining room, technology upgrades are noticeable with new menu boards, but also self-ordering kiosks that allow customers to place and pay for orders using a touch-screen computer menu.

Ross Construction was the general contractor on the project.

Work on the Whitefish restaurant began in early October. During the project, the restaurant operated mostly through the drive through, though it was closed for a short time.

Chris Jahnke said all employees were moved to other restaurants during the times when the Whitefish restaurant was closed.

“They were able to work in our other stores,” she said. “If they wanted to work, they were given the opportunity to work. It’s not easy on the bottom line to do that, but in the long run it’s worth it to keep our employees working.”

The Jahnke family has a history with the McDonald’s burger company. They previously owned and operated two stores in the Bitterroot in Lolo and Hamilton for many years.

Chris began working as a crew member roughly 40 years ago at the Whitefish restaurant for the previous owners, and her enthusiasm for McDonald’s continues today as a franchise owner.

The chance to purchase the Flathead Valley stores was a chance to move back home. The three family members divide duties in the stores, though there’s much more to do now with more restaurants to manage.

“We each have our strengths,” Chris says. “D.J. is the technology guru and he’s been more interested in that, I spend my time working with crew and guests and Bud is the fixer guy, always working on the equipment or whatever needs fixed.”

D.J. recently completed a two-year training program to earn his certification to become the sole owners of the franchises. He now has 51% ownership in the Evergreen location, and 20% ownership in all the other restaurants.

A grand re-opening for the Whitefish McDonald’s following the remodel is set for Saturday, Dec. 21. There will be several giveaways during the celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a chance to win a Strider bike and helmet, and a free Big Mac every week for a year. Cake, cookies and pie will also be served.