May 7, 2008
Makeover at Vinton Burger King
UPDATE: Look for Burger King to reopen by the end of July, according to franchise owner Mike Sloan. Sloan owns three other Burger Kings in the Roanoke Valley. The Vinton restaurant, which was built in 1972, needed a makeover, he said. It's been closed since mid-March.
Sloan called the new design a simpler look that is “less expensive to build.”
The new building will be longer and narrower, and it will be positioned differently on the lot so that drive-through traffic flows better. You’ll also find newly designed restrooms inside and flat-screen televisions.
Have a hankering for a Whopper? Burger King is Vinton is sending customers to its U.S. 460 store while it rebuilds. Crews have demolished this fast food eatery on Virginia 24. I’ll let you know once I find out it's reopening date.
Usually, when fast food restaurants are rebuilt, they emerge with a more contemporary design. Some local McDonalds changed their look several years ago by adding electric fireplaces and flat screen televisions.
Comments
[May 8, 2008 9:41 PM]
MikeThis was a good move by them. That location was the worst Burger King of them all. Could be even considered the worst fast food location of them all. I ate there one rainy day and the roof was leaking in several spots. Stopped in there late last summer and the people were very rude and the food was nasty. never used there drive-through but it looked like a poor set up. Hope they are much improve once they reopen.
[May 9, 2008 8:03 AM]
JenniferI ate at this Burger King for a long time. I remember going there as a kid. However, as an adult, I notice that there is NO Customer Service at this restaurant. Almost every time that I go there, either my order is messed up or someone else's is while I am waiting for my food. Everyone that is working behind the counter (including management) seems to not care about the customer. Someone (especially the owner) needs to realize that without customers, you might as well close the doors. The dining area always seemed to be untidy and the drink area always needed attention. I have been in there several times and noticed the employees on break "lounging" in the a back booth like they are on a beach or something. That leaves a bad impression on the customer. It takes so long to get your food and if it is wrong you have to wait for someone to comeback to see what the problem is then you have to wait for it to be fixed right. HELLO, fix the food right the first time. I have worked fast food so I know that it is not an easy job but you need to take pride in what you do. The customer is what pays your salary. The one thing that I can't stand is to go in ANY restaurant and hear the workers talking about what they did last night or who they talked to on the phone or what they are going to be doing this weekend. I really don't care about this and don't want to hear about this when I go into a place of business. This is personal and should not be discussed in a place of business on company time. Ok. On to another subject-Vinton McDonald's. The service is excellent. This is the BEST restaurant (2nd is Valley View standing Chick Fil A) I have ever been to in regards to cleanliness, speed, accuracy, friendliness of staff. No body stands around talking about their personal life. They are there to wait on the customer and to provide a superior service. The restaurant is clean. I don't have to worry about my order being messed up. I get exactly what I order. So, in closing I hope the employees, management and owner of the Vinton Burger King reads this and understands that the service is what keeps the customers coming back. You will NEVER be able to compete with Vinton McDonald's.
[May 9, 2008 9:56 AM]
JennyMike and Jennifer, Thanks to both of you for writing about your experiences at Burger King. Possibly the renovation will change the way the restaurant operates, for the better. Jennifer, make sure you check out the online video attached to the Vinton McDonald's story on www.roanoke.com today.
[May 9, 2008 8:13 PM]
JenniferI am not sure a renovation will change the way it is operated. I think the problem is on the part of the owner/management not being able/wanting to hire "good" workers. I recently was in another Burger King and the Manager on duty started raising her voice to the employees in the store. This all while customers were in the restaurant saying that when she is on duty they will work in the places that she puts them. That's no way to run a restaurant. If management has the ability to hire "good" workers that will take pride in their jobs and treat each and every customer with respect, then the owner will have a restaurant that he can be proud of. I think the owner doesn't care and just out to make a profit.