The new 4,285-square-foot restaurant at the intersection of Paradise Road and Benner Pike in Benner Township will be Centre County’s sixth McDonald’s location and Bellefonte’s first.

Community members, members of staff, representatives from McDonald’s Corporate team and the Centre County Chamber of Business & Industry gathered alongside franchisees, Joseph and Patte Nyanko, Thursday morning for the ceremonial ribbon cutting marking the location’s official opening.

Though the grand opening was held only this past week, some may have already visited the restaurant, which held a soft opening on June 27, a little over three weeks ago, to test out operations and train staff prior to the celebration.

The franchise is owned and operated by FourGSC LLC, a Centre County based company. The company operates the now six McDonalds in the Centre County area. They employ over 250 members of the Centre County community.

PHOTO PROVIDED Grimace, 53, was one of the guests in attendance at the grand opening of the new McDonald’s location at 2673 Benner Pike, Bellefonte.

The Benner Township McDonald’s is Nyanko’s 15th restaurant in central Pennsylvania, adding to his portfolio, which includes four locations in the State College area and one in Milesburg.

Open 6 a.m. to midnight, the location will employ over 50 staff members under the direction of General Manager Brett Vance, District Supervisor Josh Lightner and Four GCS Director of Operations Brenda Schlosser.

Those in attendance were joined in celebration by Grimace and the Hamburglar.

To thank the community for their business, the first 100 customers to visit the location were treated to punch cards good for a free Big Mac every month for a year.

Throughout the rest of the month, the location will be offering various “great tasting” deals. On Saturday, July 20, from 2-5 p.m., and on Wednesday, July 24, from 4-6 p.m., the first 50 curbside customers will receive $5 Arch Cards. All orders between 6-9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, and Tuesday, July 30, will include a coupon for five free coffees. And Sunday, July 28, the first 100 customers after 11 a.m. will receive a punch card valid for one free Happy Meal a month for a year.

PHOTO PROVIDED Franchisees Joseph and Patte Nyanko cut the ribbon alongside McDonald’s staff, marking the grand opening of the new McDonald’s location at 2673 Benner Pike, Bellefonte.

The new McDonald’s location is one of multiple new businesses opening up along the Benner Pike. Cropping up in the same area are Centre County’s first Arby’s, one of the county’s first Wawa convenience stores and several hotels.