Oceanside McDonald's uncovers electrical outlets

The Oceanside McDonald’s at 3794 Plaza Drive just went through a 76-day complete remodel. The old play structure was completely removed; a new interior, signage, and outside façade were added, along with redesigned drive-thru lanes.

But something else was noticed upon a recent visit. McDonald’s has brought back A/C power outlets.

Many local McDonald’s restaurants had a problem. Homeless people would sit in the restaurants for a long period of time, charging their cell phones. They wouldn’t buy much. Customers complained. So a few years ago, the restaurants started covering up the outlets with aluminum plates covers.

“We realized people need to do work occasionally,” said Trisha Petraglia, special events coordinator for the Plaza Dr. franchise.

“We realized our operations manager needs to do his work here too and needed power,” added Petraglia. She says the two outlets were added under now corporate policy.

I noticed two outlets have also been added to another recently remodeled McDonald’s at 427 College Boulevard. The new outlets are the closest seats to the ordering counter. “We rearranged them there so we can keep a better eye on them,” said a McDonald’s manager.

Schultz Management, the Plaza Drive franchisee, has something else new at its four area McDonald’s – two in Encinitas, one on Avenida Encinas in Carlsbad, and the Plaza Dr. location; customers can now have their Big Macs delivered at home, by using UberEATS.