Project Overview:
The Market Drayton McDonald’s, which now acts as a blueprint for future restaurants around the country, has been designed to be net zero emissions standard in both construction and every day operation – an industry first. It utilises the Algeco offsite construction system. Algeco was an integral part of the project team, utilising its modular solution which features a large number of incremental improvements that combine to make a huge difference in overall performance.
McDonald’s in Market Drayton, Shropshire, has become the UK’s first carbon net-zero restaurant. It was created using the Algeco offsite construction system. Minimising environmental impact and achieving a net-zero build were key requirements set out by McDonald’s at the very start of the project. The innovative turnkey solution includes kitchen, servery, offices, storage, dining area and toilets, as well as car park and external landscaping works. Algeco completed 80% of the Market Drayton restaurant in its Carnaby factory in East Yorkshire before being transported to site, minimising waste and maximising quality control, efficiency and speed of construction.
The restaurant is designed to allow relocation, reconfiguration or recycling, depending on McDonald’s future requirements. All Algeco offsite modules are designed to have a service life of at least 60 years. As part of a sustainable approach, the building utilises responsibly-sourced and recycled materials throughout, further reducing its environmental impact. The modules are constructed using a steel-framed system, a 100% recyclable material sourced from a UK supplier with certified Environmental Policy Declarations. Other sustainable features include sheep’s wool insulation instead of fibreglass, cladding, ceiling, floor and wall tiles made from recycled plastic, a rainwater harvesting system, wind turbine electricity generation and photovoltaic car park lighting complete with battery backup.
The kitchen incorporates a heat exchange that feeds into the dining area. The lightweight structure of Algeco’s steel frame modules minimise carbon intensive foundations, which were completed at the same time as the modules were manufactured, helping to reduce the build schedule by around half compared to an on-site build. The Algeco carbon net zero solution at Market Drayton opens up the possibility of a more sustainable solution for leisure and retail businesses as they look for ways of meeting their ‘new-zero’ commitments. For McDonald’s, Market Drayton sets out a route for all their restaurants being net zero in use by 2030. By opening the UK’s first net-zero carbon restaurant, McDonald’s has introduced cutting-edge innovations, the most successful of which will be rolled out in McDonald’s restaurants nationwide.
The business is committed to sharing its findings with the industry to support the UK’s net-zero ambition.
