News
& Media
Press Release
September 1, 2022
U/D to Welcome Unique McDonald’s Restaurant Concept
University District continues to welcome new and innovative retailers to the flourishing northwest Calgary community, with the recent addition of a McDonald’s restaurant coming in with a twist.
The new McDonald’s location will offer a unique walk-up window service which is the perfect format for University District’s pedestrian-friendly and feet-first design, giving guests the opportunity to grab a meal on the go to enjoy in one of University District’s many park spaces, green and common areas, or at their office or at home. This innovative McDonald’s layout has already seen huge success in parts of Canada where it has been enthusiastically received by guests.
“The team is thrilled to be joining the community here in University District,” says Usman Jutt, Calgary Franchisee. “Serving the community where we operate is our priority, and we are so excited to offer the community a restaurant designed with students in mind. The walk-up design will provide a one-of-a-kind, easy and convenient place for people to grab all of their favourites from McDonald’s.”
“We have always believed in delivering an exceptional community experience each step of the way in University District, so we are excited to be home to a walk-up McDonald’s,” says University of Calgary Properties Group (UCPG) VP of Community Experience, Maureen Henderson. “Whether it’s a student on the go, a nearby employee looking for a quick meal break, or a group of seniors meeting up for a weekly coffee, McDonald’s will provide convenient options for everyone to enjoy wherever they wish. It’s a perfect complement to our innovative community design, and we are confident McDonald’s will feel right at home in U/D.”
The vibrancy of University District’s Retail Main Street combined with unique residential offerings and the construction of community landmarks, such as the development of Central Commons Park, adds to this award-winning destination for Calgarians from all corners of the city to visit and choose as their home.
University District is the 2022 winner for Canada’s Best Growing Community recognized by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and a finalist for three 2022 BILD Alberta Awards. University District was also named the 2022 Winner for “Calgary’s Best Future Neighbourhood” by Avenue Magazine.
University District is an amenity and culinary-rich destination, with currently more than ten eateries for visitors and residents to enjoy, including OEB Breakfast Co., Borough Bar + Grill, The Alley, The Banquet, The Canadian Brewhouse, Village Ice Cream, Five Guys, Sesame, Osmow’s, BarBurrito and Freshii. The previously announced Fuwa Fuwa, offering delectable Japanese Pancakes, will be opening this fall.
This unique McDonald’s concept restaurant will be a welcomed addition to the extensive roster of current retailers that are already serving this award-winning community, which has become an exciting destination to live, work and play in the City’s northwest.
About University of Calgary Properties Group
University of Calgary Properties Group Ltd. (UCPG) was created by the University of Calgary to oversee the development and management of university land projects. With a financial model that provides an innovative approach to land development, residual profits from UCPG are directed back to the University to fuel its academic mission. Setting a high standard for sustainable and progressive neighbourhood design, UCPG’s team and 14-member board of directors are dedicated to creating, developing and managing premier communities. With the masterplan for University District underway and portfolio diversification with University Innovation Quarter, UCPG is delivering on creating amazing places for people to thrive.
About University District
To the west of the University of Calgary and overlooking the Bow River and Rocky Mountains, University District is a comprehensive 200-acre community with a bold new vision for urban life in Calgary. Through a collaborative, people-first design process, the master planning and thorough engagement program forged strong respect between local stakeholders and UCPG. The neighbourhood applies the best ideas in city design and incorporates the wants and needs of surrounding legacy communities – weaving current aesthetic, technology, and lifestyle options into the strong social fabric of the city. University District is the 2022 national winner of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA) Award for Best Growing Community.
For more information about University District, visit its Discovery Centre at 4410 University Ave. N.W., Calgary (just north of the Alberta Children’s Hospital) or go online: myuniversitydistrict.ca and visit Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, #UDLife.
About McDonald’s Canada
In 1967, Canada welcomed the first McDonald’s restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving more than one million guests every day. In both franchised and corporate-owned restaurants, nearly 100,000 people are employed from coast to coast to coast, and more than 90 per cent of McDonald’s 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent franchisees. Of the almost $1 billion spent on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald’s Canada, visit mcdonalds.ca.
Media Relations Contact
Maureen Henderson
VP, Community Experience
University of Calgary Properties Group
mhenderson@ucpg.ca
(403) 992-8388
Paula Worthington
Worthington PR Story
paula@worthingtonpr.com
(403) 585-2429
Canada Impact
McDonald’s Canada
media.relations@ca.mcd.com