The golden arches have officially gone up in Niverville. For the town, it’s more than just a restaurant opening; the iconic sign marks a new chapter in a saga of rapid growth.
Niverville’s 24-hour McDonald’s, with a two-lane drive-thru, opens at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, September 19, with a ribbon-cutting taking place later in the morning at 1789 Main Street.
Along with burgers and fries, the restaurant will serve up a predominantly local crew of more than 70. The grand opening week will feature daily prize draws, including Winnipeg Jets tickets, a Blackstone griddle, and gift cards from local vendors such as Wm. Dyck & Sons, Your Grocery People, Niverville Recreation and Wellness, and Anya’s Hair Studio.
In December 2024, Niverville’s town council approved the application to construct this McDonald’s after hearing concerns from nearby homeowners. ShopGym Inc., which used to reside at that location, was demolished soon after. In just nine months, the restaurant sprinted from application approval to opening day.
“We were so excited when we heard that McDonalds had bought land here,” says local resident Chelsea Brown. “We had no idea how quickly it would be built! Once we saw it start to take shape, it became part of our daily routine to see what had been added since the day before. The day the McDonald’s sign went up, we all audibly squealed; it made it feel real at that point.”
Brown has lived in Niverville for six years and enjoys the peacefulness of life outside the city. As a busy family, though, she appreciates quick and affordable dining options. She also feels a lot of nostalgia for McDonald’s.
“When I was little, I remember going on breakfast dates with my dad, or even just a quick stop for fries and a milkshake,” she recalls. “I am very much looking forward to sharing those experiences with my kids.”
Owner Brett O’Meara, who lives in Kenora with his family, owns several McDonald’s franchises, including locations in Sage Creek and Steinbach. The Niverville restaurant is his eighth franchise but the first he has built from the ground up.
For O’Meara, Niverville isn’t just another franchise. With family in Steinbach paying regular visits to Niverville’s CRRC, O’Meara was already well aware of the town’s dynamics and understands its potential.
“We love operating in smaller communities, so we are really excited to join the town of Niverville,” O’Meara says. “We have some goals, as a brand and within my family: we strive to be a great neighbour, an incredible employer, and speak to the needs of the community. That is something that has to be seen and felt, not just heard.”
O’Meara understands the duality of the excitement in many residents as well as some natural hesitancy in others.
“For people who are used to their small-town feel, we want to respect that, and I think that the building itself has achieved that. It is a relaxed atmosphere with softer neutral spaces, and we aren’t a huge restaurant. Forty-six seats here.”
The opening marks a turning point for Niverville. McDonald’s Canada performs extensive research before building in entirely new markets.
“There’s always iconic moments in the growth of any township,” O’Meara says. “When we get our first traffic light, arena, golf course, and first McDonald’s restaurant: Niverville has reached that point and that’s really exciting… And then you look at the plans for the future here, plans that have been approved and waiting to build. I think sometimes an investment like McDonald’s creates the impetus to get projects going quicker.”
In July, McDonald’s held a hiring fair at the CRRC. About 100 people attended the event, with about 60 of them being hired on the spot. In total, there are more than 70 part-time and full-time positions, and the employees range in age from high school students to retirees. Of those, 90 percent are local. The restaurant is still accepting applications.
Over the past couple of months, the local crew was split into two groups and trained through two of O’Meara’s other locations, Sage Creek and Steinbach.
“It was seamless. It was a challenge for the other restaurants as they took on additional staff while they trained. I am so proud of those teams, knowing that they did a great job training and taking on that staff. Most importantly, they made everyone feel comfortable.”
O’Meara and his family say that they are actively looking for ways to give back to the communities that support them.
“What I love about being in small communities is that you are the brand,” says O’Meara. “It’s McDonalds, but it’s also my family saying, ‘We’re representing the brand.’ Everything is more organic. When I talk about needs of the community, we want to be the first stop for charitable events that are looking for donations, supporting local community events. I tell everybody: just come and ask. It doesn’t hurt to ask the question, because there’s always some way that we can help.”
Ahead of the grand opening, O’Meara is confident in his crew. They held a soft opening event just for friends and family on Wednesday, September 17. This gave the staff a first run at serving customers from their new home base.
Still, O’Meara asks for patience as the team works out the final details.
“My ask: have some patience with us, and tell us what’s on your mind if you’re seeing something,” he says. “This is almost an entirely new crew from your community and they’re still learning. We love the gift of feedback. We’ll make things right for you and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the experience. Our measurement of success is how you view us.”