McDonald’s at Stonestown has closed its doors after over 30 years in San Francisco. The franchise location owner, Scott Rodrick, announced the closure of the McDonald’s at 255 Winston Drive, marking its last day on Sunday, June 23.
The restaurant was a familiar sight for many, especially students from nearby Lowell High School and San Francisco State University. It served as a gathering spot for meals or socializing, making it a neighborhood fixture for three decades.
Rodrick expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the 19th Avenue and Ingleside communities for so long. However, he mentioned two main reasons for the closure. Firstly, there was a disagreement with the landlord over lease terms, with the landlord being unwilling to negotiate reasonable rent despite the location’s 30-year history. Additionally, rising property taxes and shared mall fees added to the financial strain.
The second reason cited by Rodrick was the increasing costs of operating a restaurant in the city and state, particularly mentioning the recently implemented $20 minimum wage for fast food workers in California. This change significantly impacted the feasibility of running the McDonald’s location.
Rodrick acknowledged the impact of this decision on his family, customers, and team members, describing it as a difficult day. However, he mentioned that employees from the Stonestown location have been offered opportunities at other nearby McDonald’s, such as the one located at 1201 Ocean Ave.