mmg.com.au

The opening of a McDonald’s restaurant in Mooroopna has created a combination of 80 casual, full-time and part-time jobs.

Make It Mooroopna chairman Paul Wickham said the restaurant on McLennan St would offer teenagers in the town job opportunities they might otherwise have to pursue in Shepparton.

Mr Wickham said teens with jobs at the restaurant had been opening accounts at the bank that is part of his Mooroopna pharmacy.

‘‘Kids that have a bit of go in them will find a job anywhere,’’ he said.

‘‘But to have that sort of business in town is a wonderful opportunity for kids to see how a really professional outfit trains people and does things.’’

Make It Mooroopna was a committee started to promote business and development in the town.

Mr Wickham said Mooroopna people were proud of their town.

He said business developments in the town also improved residential property values.

‘‘The signs of businesses like McDonald’s coming to town only further strengthens people’s feelings about how strong the community is,’’ he said.

‘‘Mooroopna is proud of its main street (McLennan St), so anything that makes it look better, obviously, reflects better on the town.’’

Mooroopna McDonald’s licensees Doug and Karen Pearse also own the three restaurants in Shepparton.

Mrs Pearse said staff members from the three Shepparton restaurants had the option of moving to work in the Mooroopna store.

‘‘It was similar to when we opened the north (Shepparton) store, anybody who worked in the south end could transfer if they wanted to,’’ she said. ‘‘We took some of our experienced staff with us (to Mooroopna).’’

Mr and Mrs Pearse bought the McDonald’s restaurants on Maude St and Wyndham St from former owner Andrew Simson in 2007. The couple were considering opening a Mooroopna restaurant when they started building the north Shepparton store on the corner of Hawkins St and Numurkah Rd in September 2009.