McDonald's

Building McDonald's in Sanford, FL: A Journey of Adaptation and Innovation

In May 2024, Cuhaci Peterson began work on several new McDonald’s restaurants in the Central Florida region, starting with a unique store in Sanford, FL. This endeavor marked a new chapter in their collaboration with the fast-food giant, requiring a blend of adaptation and innovation to meet both client needs and regional requirements.

The Sanford location was the first to undergo construction and completion, setting the stage for future developments. One of the primary challenges with this particular store was adapting the standard McDonald’s prototype to comply with local design guidelines. Senior Project Coordinator, Devin Cressman, noted, “Sanford was the real heavy-hitting one that we did a lot of lessons learned on. “When we submitted this project for both the site and building permit review, the Architectural Review Board had not completed its review process, and the building permit would not be granted without it, she added.”

“Sanford was the real heavy-hitting one that we did a lot of lessons learned on.”

Devin Cressman, Project Coordinator

Project Key Facts

Expertise

Retail

Client

Leadership

Devin Cressman

Some of the modifications McDonald’s required were the incorporation of a banding along the middle of the façade that separated the bottom, middle and top into separate entities and a 3-foot recession to the non-drive-thru side of the building to emphasize the front entrance. These changes not only affected the architectural design of the building but also involved significant structural design modifications, along with changes to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The team had to revise structural elements, such as footings and rebar, to align with both Sanford’s jurisdictional requirements and the Atlanta region’s design standards.

A standout innovation in this project was the use of CoreFill 500, a spray insulation that enhances the building’s energy efficiency without compromising interior space. Cressman elaborated, “CoreFill 500 turns the CMU walls pretty much into continuous rigid insulation.” This approach not only meets Florida’s energy codes but also optimizes the building’s envelope, showcasing a blend of traditional construction methods with modern insulation technology.

Despite the challenges, the project has been a success, with two stores now open and several more in various stages of development. The Sanford location, in particular, has provided valuable lessons in project management and client collaboration, setting a precedent for future projects in the region. As the team continues to work on McDonald’s projects across Florida, the insights gained from the Sanford experience will undoubtedly inform and improve future endeavors. The journey of building McDonald’s in Sanford is a testament to the power of adaptation, innovation and collaboration in the world of architecture and construction.