Since I was a young child, I have eaten at McDonald's more times than I can remember. But not until October 15 had I experienced a behind the scenes tour of one of the restaurants.
Franchisee Pierre Brunet with Steven Erdelyim Mayor Housefather, myself, Allan J. Levine and Ruth Kovac.
The occasion was a small ceremony for the brand new McDonald's which just opened at the Côte Saint-Luc Shopping Centre. It is a beautiful facility, spread over two floors with a drive through and open 24 hours a day. The place is also in the best hands possible with franchisee Pierre Brunet, certainly no stranger to our community. 'Mr. Brunet owned the McDonald's on Côte Saint-Luc Road and Walkley (actually considered NDG), which closed about 18 years ago. Among his current 16 franchises are the Quartier Cavendish food court, St. Jacques Street West, Queen Mary Road, Côte des Neiges and Linton, Beaumont in TMR, Marché Central, three in LaSalle and one Verdun.
Mayor Anthony Housefather was on hand to congratulate Mr. Brunet alongside five members of council: myself, Steven Erdelyi, Ruth Kovac, Dida Berku and Allan J. Levine. Manager Don Martin brought us right behind the counter and into the kitchen. Councillors Levine and Berku could not resist the temptation of the smell of french fries. Councillor Levine (left) scooped up a medium order himself while (below) Councillor Berku requested a small one. We were joined by some of the CSL residents whose homes are right next to the facility.
I was also happy to see Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brody on hand. The two longtime residents of Sir Walter Scott Avenue in District 2 have been close friends with Mr. Brunet for years.
Mr. Brunet said that without any bells and whistles, he opened the doors to the new franchise and business is already at the level he expected. When inside check out the neat digital me menus.
"I am very happy to be back in this neighbourhood," said Mr. Brunet.
With the neighbours.
With the Brodys.
Prepping the food in the kitchen.
Behind the scenes of “how it’s made” gives me renewed respect for the training and work of Mc Donald’ s employees.
Congratulations and much success to Pierre Brunet.
Hi Mike:
Very nice article however you failed to mention that although the McDonald’s at the Cote Saint-Luc Shopping Centre was to be the first bilingual McDonald’s in Quebec it has failed to live up to that expectation. Having two outdoor signs does not make that McDonald’s bilingual. The menu is totally in French. When I went to that restaurant two weeks ago, the > sign was covered by the > sign. (Not sure if it has been rectified). The Monopoly Game, tout en francais, not in English (however I now believe that they have English ones, but I am sure not for too long). When I spoke with McDonald’s offices for the Province of Quebec yesterday, I was told that there is not enough space for English menus and not enough space for English Monopoly Games (I was told to ask a manager to explain it or to go on the internet). It’s David versus Goliath. In my opinion, no matter what one does, it is not going to change. Its much too late. I have been standing up for English rights for a long long time and trust me, nothing is changing. We are up against a brick wall. That is why I am convinced that the McDonald’s in the CSL Shopping Centre is never, never going to have any English signage whatsoever. I hope I am wrong. We are not vocal enough. If we were, we would not be in this position. Best regards and Shabbat Shalom.
Very nice article however you failed to mention that although the McDonald’s at the Cote Saint-Luc Shopping Centre was to be the first bilingual McDonald’s in Quebec it has failed to live up to that expectation. Having two outdoor signs does not make that McDonald’s bilingual. The menu is totally in French. When I went to that restaurant two weeks ago, the NOW OPEN sign was covered by the MAINTENANT OUVERT sign. (Not sure if it has been rectified). The Monopoly Game, tout en francais, not in English (however I now believe that they have English ones, but I am sure not for too long). When I spoke with McDonald’s offices for the Province of Quebec yesterday, I was told that there is not enough space for English menus and not enough space for English Monopoly Games (I was told to ask a manager to explain it or to go on the internet). It’s David versus Goliath. In my opinion, no matter what one does, it is not going to change. Its much too late. I have been standing up for English rights for a long long time and trust me, nothing is changing. We are up against a brick wall. That is why I am convinced that the McDonald’s in the CSL Shopping Centre is never, never going to have any English signage whatsoever. I hope I am wrong. We are not vocal enough. If we were, we would not be in this position. Best regards and Shabbat Shalom.
In a predominantly English neighbourhood, where the McDonalds clientèle was 90+% English, and the customers placed their orders in English, many, including me were upset at the McDonalds digital menu signs that were “French Only”.
This stupidity was and is an insult to the Cote Saint Luc English community.
The staff were bilingual English/French, struggling with the English CSL’ers level of French, until they realized the clients were English. The staff were apologetic.
If we accept that the store postings are unilingual French, we may as well accept that CSL is bilingual, and should have bilingual stop signs, and CSL should follow the rules that other French communities have to follow.
I agree most emphatically with the readers comments to Mike Cohen’s article.
We, the Satensteins and the Sendels are boycotting that store. We actually drive the 7 minutes further to the St Jacques Street MacDonalds or to the Decarie one.
I always spent my half an hour to read this blog’s articles every day along with a cup of coffee.
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Mr. Pierre Brunet,
Your office is not taking care of your existing clients on CDN after leaving two emails, still no response. Did you give up on CDN? I had an issue and since there is no response, our office does not frequent that location anymore. It’s a shame to loose 45 clients.
I would recommend you call Pierre. He is one of the finest gentlemen I know.