by Debra Wood
A fixture on Sand Lake Road near International Drive, the “World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s,” was rebuilt on adjacent property purchased by McDonald’s Corp. Franchisee Oerther Foods Inc. continues to operate the new 19,000-square-foot restaurant.
Southwest resident and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs helped at the groundbreaking for the new restaurant. She predicted guests from around the world will be dazzled by innovative technology, amazing games and entertainment, and wonderful food.
©Nathalie Precil
(L to r.) Orange County District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd; Harry Thomas Jr., vice president QSC, McDonald’s Florida Region; Karen Garcia, vice president and general manager, McDonald’s Florida Region; Ronald McDonald, McDonald’s Ambassador of Fun; Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs; Gregg Oerther, owner/operator and CEO of Oerther Foods Inc.; and Georgette LeMieux,vice president of operations, Oerther Foods Inc. attend the groundbreaking for the “new” World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s.
“I see jobs, economic impact and, overall, a hugely positive influence on our community,” Jacobs said. “And from an I-Drive perspective, we’re just thrilled to have you here.”
Gregg Oerther, owner/operator and CEO of Oerther Foods Inc. and a Windermere resident, called the new rebuilding a long-held dream for his father, Gary Oerther, chairman of the company and a South Bay property owner, who came to Orlando in 1981 to take over three McDonald’s locations.
Gary Oerther opened his first McDonald’s in 1973 in Fostoria, Ohio. He since sold that and two other restaurants he owned there. His first employee at that store and nine other Ohio employees moved their families to Orlando to work in the new stores.
The company now operates 24 McDonald’s restaurants in Central Florida. Oerther Foods Inc. employs nearly 1,500 people in Orange and Polk counties. People who have worked for the company for 20 or more years hold more than one-half of the leadership positions.
In addition to traditional McDonald’s menu items, the new restaurant offers chef-prepared food and an open kitchen with a wood-burning pizza oven. The building also features energy-efficient designs and technologies.
The largest McDonald’s is located in Oklahoma; however, it does not feature the entertainment capabilities of the Orlando restaurant, with its bowling and other amenities. 💓
