Market Drayton - Our Plan For Change

McDonald's Market Drayton restaurant birds-eye-view

Our first UK industry net zero emissions standard restaurant

Our Market Drayton restaurant opened in 2021 and provided a testing ground for the blueprint for all our future retrofits and freehold new build restaurants.

A blueprint for the future

Our Market Drayton new build restaurant was a testing ground for sustainable development. Certified to the UKGBC Net Zero Standard* in the UK and Ireland, and what we learnt here has informed a blueprint for the construction of all freehold new build restaurants and is also being rolled out through lower carbon intensive materials for furniture and interiors in our retrofits. We opened two further net zero restaurants in Louth and Lowestoft in 2022 and 2023 (respectively), with more planned for 2024.

Reducing carbon emissions

We challenged ourselves to reduce carbon emissions in construction and use, and have worked with our suppliers to find solutions that will set high standards for our industry. We’re sourcing our building materials locally where we can, and have replaced carbon-intensive materials with alternatives made with recycled car tyres, plastic bottles, and white goods.

Market Drayton used over 250m² of recycled materials, with building cladding made from recycled white goods, sheep’s wool insulation and a patio surface made from recycled tyres. We calculate that the roll-out of learnings from Market Drayton to a standard restaurant superstructure could save 15% in construction emissions.

On-site renewable energy

Installations on site include over 110sqm of solar panels and two wind turbines that produce renewable energy for on-site use with any excess provided back to the national grid.

Market Drayton Restaurant

Take a look at some of the Market Drayton innovations.

Ground Coffee sign on McDonald's restaurant wall

Plastic made from coffee beans

We used bioplastic made from coffee bean waste for the lettering on our walls.

Wrapping up warm

We used British sheep’s wool to insulate the walls and keep us all warm. It’s 100% biodegradable, so it can be composted once it’s done its job.

More sustainable furniture design

The tabletops, dining area chairs and benches are UK manufactured and use FSC® certified timber, while our outdoor play units are made from recycled and recyclable plastic.

One step at a time

The kerbstones are made from recycled plastic bottles. So we’re putting used plastic to good use, while the patio surface contains recycled rubber tyres.

McDonald's crew members and school children in wildlife area

Making a home for wildlife

In October 2023, McDonald’s Market Drayton officially opened its Biodiversity Garden and Nature Trail to the public to enjoy. The garden, designed with the help of Market Drayton Junior School, aims to protect and encourage local wildlife. Reed beds help to collect rainwater from the carpark, reducing the amount of water diverted into the sewage system while also providing a habitat for frogs and other creatures. The trees and shrubs in the garden are fast growing, locally native species that will capture carbon as well as create habitats for wildlife. Bird and bat boxes have also been installed and pollinator posts, planted with flowers, provide nectar and pollen to bees and butterflies.

The future of McDonald’s restaurants

Since opening our Market Drayton restaurant in 2021, we’ve been rolling out our restaurant blueprint in line with the UKGBC Net Zero Framework, innovating the design and construction of new-builds and bringing in more sustainable materials to the restaurants we refurbish which are designed to be recycled or reused at end of life. We opened two further net zero restaurants in 2022 and 2023, with more planned for 2024.

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The people behind our Plan

“I'm already incredibly proud to be a McDonald's franchisee, so to potentially have the first McDonald’s UK and Ireland net zero emissions standard restaurant in build and in use will make me even more proud. Things are being done that I didn't realise were even possible.”

Matt Winfield, Franchisee

*Our Market Drayton restaurant will apply the UKGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework definition of ‘net zero carbon – construction (modules A1 – A5)’ and ‘net zero carbon – operational energy (module B6)’.