McDonald’s fans in North Manatee County have two new options to grab their favorites, as one long-anticipated location finally opened and another was torn down and rebuilt in less time than it took for the new one to open.
The McDonald’s at 699 10th St E in Palmetto reopened after being completely demolished and rebuilt. The restaurant held a grand opening event on August 9, 2025, although it had already been operating before that date. At the celebration, one lucky attendee even walked away with a Nintendo Switch as part of a gaming system raffle.
Meanwhile, the brand new McDonald’s at 2425 69th St E in Palmetto officially opened around mid-August 2025, becoming the third McDonald’s location in North Manatee County. The opening of this store had been the subject of local speculation, as the building sat nearly finished for four to five months without opening. During that same time, the 10th Street location was completely rebuilt and opened, leaving many residents wondering what was causing the delay on 69th Street.
Both locations reflect McDonald’s evolving store model. Notably, neither restaurant has a self-serve beverage station, condiment bar, or napkin dispensers. Instead, customers must request these items at the counter or receive them with their order. This is part of a nationwide shift by McDonald’s, which plans to eliminate all self-serve drink stations in the United States by 2032. The change is largely driven by decreased dine-in traffic and the increase in digital ordering, which now makes up about 40 percent of U.S. sales through app, kiosk, delivery, or drive-thru. [source]
The new stores are designed with efficiency in mind and include double drive-thru lanes, another feature aligned with McDonald’s focus on off-premise dining.
Grand Opening Set for September 13 at 69th Street Location
The grand opening event for the 69th Street McDonald’s is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities will include:
- 9 a.m. First 100 customers who use mobile order and pay (via table service, curbside, or drive-thru) will receive a monthly Egg McMuffin combo meal for a year card.
- 10 a.m. Official ribbon cutting ceremony.
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Family-friendly activities including face painting, bingo for all, and a spin-the-wheel game where everyone wins a prize.
- 11 a.m. Children’s bike raffle (two bikes to be given away; must be present to win).
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. First 100 customers using mobile order and pay will receive a monthly Big Mac combo meal for a year card.
- 1:30 p.m. Gaming system raffle begins (must be present to win).
- 2 p.m. Celebration cake served.
Mixed Reviews So Far
Despite the fresh construction and modern features, early reviews on Google Maps for both locations are underwhelming. Customers have expressed concerns about service delays, inconsistent food quality, and order inaccuracies.
2425 69th St E, Palmetto, FL 34221
699 10th St E, Palmetto, FL 34221
As McDonald’s continues to roll out this new service model across the country, it remains to be seen how customers in Palmetto and beyond will adjust to the changes. Time will tell if experience and service can match the sleek new look of these locations.
| Region | Estimated Number of McDonald’s (2025) |
|---|---|
| Manatee County, FL | ~12 |
| Florida | ~882 |
| United States (USA) | ~13,640 |
