“We’re trying to go back a little bit and see how we can help the community by giving more value.”
Avi Sandhu owns and operates McDonald’s in Morden and Winkler, two communities that have welcomed him and his business with open arms. He wants to give back.
“Everyone’s going through hard times with interest rates, with recession, with just everything that’s going on in the world. So I wanted to do something special for the community.”
Easing the burden
Sandhu has run these two locations for the last three years and says that the love and acceptance from customers is tangible. In his desire to give back, he notes that his main focus will be McDonald’s core meals.
“We’ve come up with some family value meals. Our number-one seller is our meals, so we’ll be rolling back the prices. Now our Big Mac Meal, our six-count McNugget Meal, our Filet O’ Fish, and our McChicken Meals are only $10.49.”
The price rollback officially started on November 4th, following $1 coffee and McDonald’s Monopoly.
Affordable breakfast, McNuggets to share
Sandhu notes that breakfast is a popular time for the company, so they’ve decided to offer more menu items under $4.00.
“Now you can go get breakfast . . . more often," he says. "People are in a rush in the morning — you want something quick and convenient, and at the same time not hurting your wallet.”
Additionally, the fan-favourite McNugget 20-piece meal, with 20 nuggets, 2 medium fries, and 2 medium drinks, has been reduced to $19.99.
A lifetime of different experiences
Before becoming the owner-operator at McDonald’s in Morden and Winkler, Sandhu worked in real estate and construction. He says his experience in these fields has taught him many things that can also be applied to his current career.
“I was always told by my grandfather and my dad that, number one — never make your employees do something that you’re not willing to do,” he says. “My father and I try to be in the restaurant as much as possible. I appreciate working shoulder to shoulder with my staff because I like them to feel supported, and that we’re not going to push anything onto them that we wouldn’t do ourselves.”
A friendly, familiar face
Sandhu’s father, Paul Sandhu, though now retired, is the official McDonald’s greeter at the Winkler location, and occasionally the Morden restaurant. This presence aligns with another lesson Sandhu has learned along the way.
“In the real estate industry, I believed the best indicator of your business' success was the customer, so if I can personally greet everybody in the restaurant and see how their day’s going, or how we could improve service the next time… I think that’s the best indicator," he says. "It’s what my dad likes to do. He loves greeting. It’s that personal touch. Not just about the meal, but how you’re doing. That moment where you can connect with people.”
Sandhu encourages people, especially in Winkler, to choose walk-in over drive-thru, if only for the opportunity to socialize a little.
“The drive-thru lineup can get long, so come on in! Sometimes it’s a lot quicker, too,” he says.
To encourage casual and friendly conversation, Sandhu reinforces that he and his management team are always available to discuss service, correct mistakes (because they do happen), and get to know their customers more personally.
Stop by McDonald’s at 750 Norquay Drive in Winkler and at 881 Thornhill Street in Morden.