“McImprovements” Needed for Pawcatuck McDonald’s

The world's newest McDonald's in Pawcatuck might have the most confusing layout of them all. I’m certainly not loving it. 

After this past Saturday night out with friends to see Ted at the Stonington Regal Cinemas, I drove over to the next door. 

The "enter" Golden Arches monument sign is barely visible at night. 

Rather than large windows or perhaps a , dark gray vinyl siding greets motorists who see signs for a pick up window and a drive through but not for parking. 

Unless one parks to the left of McDonald's and walks near the drive thru or pick up window areas, one has to drive around the restaurant for parking facing Route 2. The situation is so dangerous caution stickers are affixed to Mickie D’s exit doors warning diners of drive thru traffic. 

It’s a far cry from the “inviting exterior” promised at Mcstate.com. 

While its easy to see the parking and McDonald’s dining room entrance from Route 2, there is no direct access to this road. Customers are forced to use the driveway which also provides access to Regal Cinemas and Stop and Shop. 

At the very least, “No Right Turn” signs could have been approved by the state (since its a state road) and installed for traffic entering and exiting directly from Route 2. 

Doing so would allow westbound traffic direct access to McDonald’s and back onto the roadway. 

This comes after the fast food chain’s as it becomes the fifth McDonald’s in a 10-mile radius. 

The site seems too small for the Golden Arches and more parking should have been placed closer to the building. 

Those utilizing the drive thru must drive around the restaurant twice: once to the order window and a second time after the pick up windows, which are awkwardly placed too close to the entrance/exit driveway. 

While the eatery has plenty of lighting in the front , it's back is dark and difficult for first time visitors to see to exit. 

A plot of land near McDonald’s lays vacant creating a confusing network of roads for those driving between the restaurant and Regal Cinemas. 

In comparison, the Montville McDonald’s has a with parking on all three sides of the building. Drive thru customers can easily drive around the building once and exit much easier. 

Even the “new style” Norwich, East Lyme and Killingly Commons locations seem to have less issues. 

I encourage Pawcatuck, the State of Connecticut, and McDonald’s to make necessary changes. 

This is especially important considering that many tourists going to/from Westerly, the beaches, casinos, or cinemas may be visiting this McDonald's which is a more traveled area than its sister location in North Stonington on Route 184.