Sept. 27, 2024

McDonald’s has opened its first location west of Interstate 29 in Sioux Falls.

It opened Thursday on the northeast corner of 41st Street and Ellis Road.

“There’s quite a bit of growth over here,” said Jordan Hartshorn, the Sioux Falls franchisee for McDonald’s.

“It’s been awesome. Tea is already claiming us as the Tea McDonald’s. Their homecoming is Friday, so I have their logo on the board.”

He reassured an early group of customers from nearby Roosevelt High School that it won’t be permanent, though.

“So far, the community has responded,” Hartshorn said. “The first customers said, ‘Oh gosh, we’ve been waiting for something to be over here so long,’ so they’re responding well.”

This McDonald’s looks a bit different from other stores.

“It’s called an elevated service experience, so totally different look and feel in the dining room,” Hartshorn said.

And there are no menu boards — only kiosks for ordering.

The kitchen and service area have been redesigned for efficiency, with a focus on expediting delivery orders, Hartshorn said.

“Delivery drivers have their own window,” he said. “You come into the vestibule, and there’s a courier window … so the drivers can come inside, and they don’t come into the dining room.”

While hours could expand, for now the restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.