Watch this space - touch of luxury is coming to Portsmouth McDonald's store

From left, admin manager Julie Norris (47), serves McDonald's customers with their order at their table (left to right) Paul Watson (5), mum Cathy Watson and Ben Watson (6) Picture by: Malcolm Wells (160331-1754)

The fast-food giant’s Cosham branch is becoming one of the first in the region to start serving guests from their table – to avoid the need to wait in a lengthy queue.

And the restaurant, on Portsmouth Road, will also be kitted out with automated service kiosks where customers can click to order their meals before having them brought to them.

The transformation is part of local McDonald’s franchisee, Grant Copper’s bid to improve the overall customer experience.

The change follows a trial of 14 stores at the end of last year which showed table service to be hugely popular amongst customers.

Free to use tablets have also been installed in tables, as well as contactless charger ports for Android phones.

It’s so that customers can browse their e-mail or check up on Facebook or Twitter while waiting for their food.

Mr Copper, who runs 17 McDonald’s restaurants across Portsmouth, West Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, explained the reasoning behind the refurbishment. He said: ‘This is part of the new experience of the future we are delivering across Portsmouth.

‘The first one was launched in Fratton about a month ago and we are here in Cosham.

‘It is part of an ongoing roll out. The last time this Cosham restaurant was refurbished was about seven years ago. It was about time this was extended further and refurbished again.’

There are plans in the pipeline to see this new kind of customer service offered more widely around the city.

‘Ocean Retail Park and Commercial Road are the next that need to be done and those will be completed by the end of 2018.’ McDonald’s UK CEO, Paul Pomroy said: ‘We are confident that the investment we are making will bring new and exciting changes to McDonald’s in Portsmouth and across the UK.

‘We’ve listened to customer feedback and know we need to modernise further to move the McDonald’s experience on.

‘Our converted restaurants like this one in Cosham will deliver a fast and easy experience, aided by digital and traditional order points ensuring we continue to be enjoyed by our customers.’

It is hoped the new features will be installed in 400 restaurants by the end of the year, including more in the city and in the West Street, Havant branch.