The McDonald’s restaurant in Benson is due for an overhaul.
The location is certainly not wanting for customers. With Interstate 95 nearby and a prime spot on the edge of downtown Benson adjacent to the Singing Grove, the store is often quite busy. However, the location is a bit behind the times, something that local franchise owners Fred and Doris Huebner are quick to admit.
The Huebners are responsible for most of the McDonald’s locations in Southern Wake and Johnston counties — 10 and counting — with their most recent restaurants being constructed in Dunn and Four Oaks in 2011.
“We’re very excited to get started (on a new restaurant) and, once we do, it should only be 90 to 100 days to do everything. This is something we’ve wanted to do since the pumps went out,” said Mr. Huebner.
The Benson McDonald’s is attached to a now defunct gas station. The pumps Mr. Huebner refers to once complicated the parking situation after the station’s demise. Today, the pumps and shelter have been removed around the store, but Mr. Huebner said the entire building would soon be demolished in favor of new construction. The new Benson store will have a side-by-side drive through like the Huebners’ Dunn location.
Comparing the Benson restaurant to any one of the new “McCafe” styled locations certainly dates the building. The sharp angles and boxy, modern design of new locations is in stark contrast with Benson’s angled red roof.
“The plans are going and we should be able to do something in November, December or January. We’ve just got to get everything together. We’re going to tear down the old store and build a new one — double drive-through and everything,” said Mr. Huebner, adding that work on the new restaurant will hopefully begin in November.
The entire scope of Mr. and Mrs. Huebner’s Golden Arch franchise includes Garner, Clayton, Smithfield, Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, Zebulon and Newton Grove in addition to their Dunn, Four Oaks and Benson locations. Courtesy The Daily Record
