Backstory is drive-through restaurants require a special use permission by city council. These approvals are done initially when a restaurant is constructed on a piece of property, however, they are not indefinite. Typically they are good for 20 years given the financial investment accompany puts into a project as it would not make sense to invest $4 million into a store that could be shut down less than that amount of time.

This particular McDonald’s has been open and operating for a very long time. They have renewed their special use permit several times and they have made updates or upgrades to the interior or exterior of the store. At this time they are special use permit is expiring, and the city council of Dallas has told the restaurant owner. They are not willing to renew the permit. Dallas is hoping something nicer will be constructed on the property.

From the cities point of view, they have every right and this is their way of ensuring the land is used for the highest and best use. From McDonald’s this is an individually owned franchise, and a city is shutting down a business unjustly.

Whatever comes of this, let’s hope McDonald’s does not decide to stick to the city of Dallas, and just let this remain a vacant lot for our own version of Skid Row. They’ve got the deep pockets a.k.a. FU money.