The McDonald's in Tilbury is set to open in late November if everything goes well.
That's according to owner-operator Jason Trussell, who said he's just waiting for some permits before they break ground for the new restaurant at 65 Mill Street West. Trussell said he's very cautious about announcing a firm opening day because the pandemic has affected construction.
Trussell also said recruiting is underway to hire managers and crew. He said when everything is done, the store will employ up to 100 people.
"Our number one priority right now is recruitment. My goal is to make sure we're delivering good service. We're going to temporarily seize some employees from other locations to help get it off the ground but my goal is to hire as many people locally as possible and right now our first priority is hiring folks for the management team," said Trussell.
He said managers take about four months to train and certify. Hiring for the crew, he said, will likely begin around October. Trussell said the pay for McDonald's managers is very competitive and the benefits and the perks are good as well.
"Starting salary is around $41,000 a year, plus we offer a bonus program. Depending on the level of manager it's anywhere from about $5,000 a year to just over $10,000 a year in terms of the bonus potential there," he said.
He noted the restaurant will be a regular stand alone building on a site by Highway 401 and next to a gas station, will operate 24 hours a day, and will be a traditional McDonald's with a drive-thru.
Trussell added managers get free training and the training is recognized by some colleges, which means some credits have already been accumulated and in some cases the first year can be skipped, if they want to go to college.
"It's a multi-million dollar business in most cases. So, it's very good experience for them and as people [crew] progress through our ranks, their compensation also evolves," Trussell said.
Trussell also has McDonald's restaurants in Windsor-Essex and added McDonald's is very involved in the community and this restaurant will be the same in Tilbury. He said he plans to make connections to be able to give back to the community.
"In any community that we're in I've always been a firm believer that we want to be part of the fabric of the community," he added. "So, we will be looking, as we get more established in Tilbury, in what things we can participate in."
He said his restaurants in Windsor-Essex are heavily involved in the Ronald McDonald House at Windsor Regional Hospital by donating funds, services, and meals. Trussell noted they also donate to several other charities, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.