Ordinarily a new McDonald’s is nothing to get too excited about. In fact, I believe the last time I ate a lunch or dinner at one was in 1986. However what’s interesting about the McDonald’s going into the Celebration at Six Forks shopping center is the site itself. As in…it’s terrible !

McDonald’s is usually known for its incredible site selection. Few of the stores actually close and one of the reasons is their ability to scout a site and pounce before everyone else does. In fact, some businesses simply save money and follow McDonald’s coattails when choosing a site.

Celebration at Six Forks is a 1980-born shopping center in a huge area of Raleigh that has gone a long time without a McDonald’s. Currently the nearest stores are the drive-thruless Falls Village store, the former McCafe store at Spring Forest/Falls of Neuse, the Six Forks/Wake Forest Road store, and the Millbrook/Glenwood Ave. store. Certainly a chain as large as McDonald’s would be interested in a stronger North Raleigh presence. This particular section of North Raleigh, though, was long-since pioneered by McDonalds’ chief competitors. There is a Wendy’s virtually across the street. A mile or so to the north, at what was once the six forks (hence the name), Hardees, Char-Grill, and Chick-Fil-A have all staked their claim.

Not only is McDonald’s late to the party, they picked a treacherous site formerly occupied by the free-standing Record Bar/Tracks store. Because the property is secured by a 15-foot retaining wall, it towers beyond effectiveness over Six Forks Road.

Ultimately I’m sure this McDonald’s store will do fine. However, it will be interesting to watch the chain built on its consistency overcome an inconsistent site selection.

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