A milestone moment for the St. Paul’s neighborhood — and for our growing investment in Hampton Roads.

On May 19, 2026, we celebrated the grand opening of a brand-new McDonald’s restaurant on the ground floor of Unity Place at Kindred, the transformational mixed-use development reshaping downtown Norfolk. With a “First Sip” ceremonial toast, a ribbon cutting flanked by community leaders, appearances by Grimace, Hamburglar, and Birdie, and check presentations to two local nonprofits, the celebration was as much about community as it was about a cheeseburger.

And that’s exactly the point.

More Than a McDonald’s

This isn’t just a new restaurant. It’s the first commercial opening within the Unity Place at Kindred development, a signal that the St. Paul’s neighborhood, long in the midst of a major redevelopment, is turning a corner.

The location itself is unlike anything else in our portfolio. Tucked into the ground floor of the apartment complex at 550 E. Freemason St., it features a one-of-a-kind side-by-side drive-thru that runs underneath the building, likely the most talked-about architectural feature of any McDonald’s in the region. Add to that a modernized lobby with ordering kiosks, dedicated mobile ordering and delivery capabilities, and a walk-up window designed for delivery drivers and late-night customers, and you’ve got a restaurant built for the way people actually eat today.

“Probably the most unique feature of this restaurant is its side-by-side drive-thru that runs underneath the building,” said Michael Meoli, our president and owner-operator.

Coming Home

For longtime residents of the area, the opening carries a particular kind of weight. This McDonald’s replaces a previous location that was torn down as part of the St. Paul’s redevelopment project, meaning its return has been years in the making.

John Ulp, our district supervisor, put it simply: “I’ve spoken with some of the customers who lived in that area when it was Tidewater Park, and now they’re back living in the new complex. They’re excited about the growth potential that’s going on, what the city’s doing, and they’re so excited to have a McDonald’s back in their neighborhood.”

A $10 Million Commitment to Norfolk

The St. Paul’s opening is just one piece of a much larger story. Since entering the Hampton Roads market in 2024, when we acquired 11 McDonald’s locations in Norfolk and one in Chesapeake following another franchisee’s retirement, we’ve been methodically investing in the city.

Nearly all of those restaurants have undergone or are currently undergoing renovations as part of our $10+ million modernization effort across the portfolio. The Chesapeake location on 22nd Street is slated for a complete teardown and rebuild, with an anticipated reopening in early 2027.

Beyond the bricks and mortar, our investment has translated into real opportunity for Norfolk residents. With the St. Paul’s opening, we’ve created nearly 150 new jobs in Norfolk, approximately 60 of them at this location alone, and have increased average wages by more than $2 per hour since entering the market.

Giving Back on Day One

We marked the occasion by giving back. At the grand opening celebration, we presented ceremonial checks to two local nonprofits: Ronald McDonald House Charities Norfolk and Helping the Home Front. Community investment, Mike has always said, is the hallmark of the way we do business.

Senator Angelia Williams Graves and Delegate Bonita Anthony were among the dignitaries on hand to mark the occasion, a reflection of just how significant this opening is for the broader St. Paul’s redevelopment effort.

What’s Next

We now operate 39 restaurants across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. With deep roots in the McDonald’s system, Mike has said he has ketchup running through his veins, and a clear vision for what community-centered franchising looks like; we see significant opportunity ahead in Norfolk, particularly around mobile ordering, delivery, and continued community engagement.

“The stores have a lot of opportunity in terms of remodeling and reconnecting with the community,” Mike said. “Which is really kind of the hallmark of the way I do business.”

Welcome to the neighborhood.

Visit us at 550 E. Freemason St., Norfolk, VA 23510 .