McDonald’s is now open at Rutgers Plaza at 940 Easton Ave. in Somerset. — Courtesy: Levin Management Corp.
By Joshua Burd
A new McDonald’s has arrived at a Franklin Township shopping center, following a 4,500-square-foot lease announced last fall and the repurposing of an existing pad site.
According to Levin Management Corp., the leasing and managing agent for Rutgers Plaza on Easton Avenue, the new location is open 24 hours and has dual side-by-side drive-thrus. It’s among the newest additions to the 268,000-square-foot retail property, which is anchored by Stop & Shop and serves a growing residential population of 277,500 within a five-mile radius.
LMC’s Sidney Singer represented ownership in the deal with McDonald’s, while Chuck Lanyard and Marc Palestina of The Goldstein Group represented the tenant. Levin’s in-house construction team secured approvals for the new building in the township’s Somerset section.
“Quick-serve and fast-casual dining options are welcome additions to any shopping center, driving consistent traffic, elevating the shopping experience and encouraging customers to spend more time during their visit,” said Singer, the firm’s vice president of leasing. “McDonald’s is a global leader in the fast-food segment and a high-quality enhancement for Rutgers Plaza. As a brand, McDonald’s is evolving — everything at this new location is state-of-the-art.”
In a news release, LMC said McDonald’s relocated locally from an older building to its new prototype restaurant at Rutgers Plaza. The location has what the firm described as a modern and comfortable dining area for up to 62 patrons, self-order kiosks with interactive touchscreens and a dedicated mobile pickup area, as well as an electric car charging station.
Other tenants at Rutgers Plaza include Crunch Fitness, Dollar Tree, Venus Jewelers, Moral’s Village Hot Pot, Chase Bank and Flame Kabob House, among others, Levin said. The company added that the businesses capitalize on the property’s visibility, robust demographics and proximity to Rutgers University — a key driver of consistent foot traffic.
