Jefferson County's only McDonald's is rising again. Construction began this week on the Madras restaurant at the intersection of US-26 and US-97, which has been shuttered since February 20 after a fire broke out at the drive-thru window.
Employees arriving for work that morning discovered smoke at the front of the building. Fire crews responded to find flames coming from the drive-thru area, forcing an immediate closure. The restaurant has sat dark ever since while owner Paul Rodby worked through permits and planning.
A New Restaurant, Not Just a Repair
What's going up won't just be a patched version of the old building. Rodby says the new location will feature a state-of-the-art kitchen, a renovated dining room, and an upgraded Playplace — along with a redesigned drive-thru that adds a third window to speed up orders.
"We're excited to get going again and appreciate the Madras community for their patience over all these months!" Rodby said.
Construction is expected to take up to three months, putting a grand opening on track for late 2026.
Jobs Returning — and Then Some
Since the closure, more than 30 Madras McDonald's employees have been working at Rodby's other locations in Redmond and Prineville. When the Madras restaurant reopens, those workers are expected to return — and Rodby plans to bring on an additional 30 to 40 new employees at the Madras location.
For a town the size of Madras, that's a meaningful addition to the local job market.
A Long Wait for Locals
The closure has been felt, particularly by families with young children and by travelers passing through on the busy US-26/US-97 corridor. The restaurant sits at one of the county's highest-traffic intersections, making it a go-to stop not just for Madras residents but for visitors heading to Warm Springs, Bend, and beyond.
No exact opening date has been announced. Rodby said the team will share updates as construction progresses.