DAVACO Canada - The McDonald's Projects That Started it All

McDonald's Canada closed for remodel by DAVACO

By - Chad Loder

5 min read

DAVACO's Launch in Canada

Two key projects marked the launch of the northern division of DAVACO and laid the foundation for a client relationship which has now spanned over a decade with McDonald's Canada.

First Steps - RMHC Coin Box Installs

In 2011, DAVACO Canada got its start with a project that, at first glance, seemed simple enough - the installation of donation coin boxes for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC®) in McDonald's drive-thrus across Canada. You may have seen or contributed to these donation boxes at the window of your local McDonald's.

While installing only one of these boxes would be simple, the project increased in complexity because of its nationwide need as well as the impending deadline of a project sunset date.

Tight deadlines, the need for consistent quality standards, and the large scale of a nationwide rollout made this job a test of precision and project management. DAVACO Canada's challenge was to prove we could handle the large-scale logistics and keep every location looking perfect while supporting a cause that resonated deeply with communities.

DAVACO Canada enlisted our network of partners to service this nationwide project efficiently, seamlessly, and with consistency across the board. The key to multiple partners was strict adherence to our in-house brand standards. Each of our carefully selected network partners operated as an extension of DAVACO Canada, enabling them to stick to our standards, yielding a result in which each and every store across the nation that received an RMHC donation box install looks identical.

And, through diligent project management, logistics, communication, and overall efficiency, we were able to not only meet the project deadline, but save the client money along the way.

The success of this project execution didn’t go unnoticed. McDonald’s Canada recognized something special in DAVACO’s ability to manage complexity and deliver high-quality results on-time and on-budget.

The Game Changer - McDonald's Canada's V17 Program

Following the success of the RMHC rollout, McDonald's came back to DAVACO Canada with an even bigger challenge: the Vision 17 (V17) Program. This was no simple installation; the V17 Program was a significant initiative aimed at modernizing and enhancing the customer experience across McDonald's Canada's restaurants.

Initially, this ambitious program required three separate mobilizations to each site, each addressing different scopes of work (lobby, kitchen, and customer service counter). Seeking a more efficient process, McDonald's turned to DAVACO Canada for a solution.

Challenge:

DAVACO Canada was tasked with streamlining the process, reducing the number of site visits, and minimizing disruption to the operations of McDonald’s restaurants. The challenge was to complete three distinct scopes of work in a single mobilization while maintaining the highest quality and adhering to strict timelines.

Another challenge was ensuring that store operations were protected during the project. To address this, demolition was not started until all millwork was measured and confirmed on-site. This careful approach prioritized operational integrity.

Solution:

DAVACO Canada implemented a multi-faceted solution to meet the program's demands:

1. JIT Logistics: Just-In-Time (JIT) management for logistics was implemented, ensuring materials and resources were available precisely when needed. This minimized storage and handling costs and eliminated delays associated with waiting for supplies.

2. Skilled In-House Resources: Recognizing the need for additional on-site expertise, DAVACO Canada hired our own resources with specific backgrounds in electrical, plumbing, low voltage, and HVAC systems. These skilled employees worked alongside MEP trade partners, ensuring that any issues could be promptly addressed and allowing for a smoother, more efficient execution.

3. Early Partner Involvement: DAVACO Canada utilized nine crews consisting of five DAVACO employees as well as trusted MEP trade partners. These partners were engaged very early in the planning phases, ensuring alignment and readiness for execution. Their upstream involvement was crucial to the program's success, enabling seamless communication and collaboration.

Execution:

After overcoming initial hurdles, DAVACO Canada achieved the goal of completing the three scopes of work in a single mobilization. The next breakthrough came when the team was challenged to finish the tasks within one night, instead of three. Through rigorous planning, coordination, and leveraging in-house skilled resources, we managed to complete the entire scope within a 12-14 hour window, transforming what initially seemed like a complex, multi-day operation into a highly efficient overnight process.

Outcome:

By condensing three mobilizations into one and reducing the total work time to a single night, the team not only met McDonald’s Canada’s objectives but also set a new standard for efficiency in project execution. After establishing the concept in a pod of 10 sites, this execution was repeated over and over again, transforming a total of 1,525 sites across the nation over the span of 3 years. Each DAVACO Canada manager logged about 20,000 hours over that time, an amount they'd normally work in twice the amount.

Due to hard work, the strategic involvement of trusted partners, the hiring of in-house skilled resources, and the meticulous planning process, the V17 program was executed aggressively, timely, and in a financially responsible manner. The success of the V17 program demonstrated DAVACO's ability to innovate and adapt to client needs.

Conclusion:

Today, the V17 Program stands as a testament to DAVACO Canada’s commitment to excellence and innovation. By leveraging JIT logistics, skilled in-house resources, and strong partnerships, the team overcame significant challenges and delivered exceptional results. This success solidified DAVACO’s partnership with McDonald's Canada and showcased our capability to manage complex, large-scale retail initiatives effectively.

13 Years of Trust and Teamwork

More than just jobs, these two projects are the beginning of DAVACO Canada’s story. The RMHC project showcased reliability, efficiency, and quality alongside dedication to community impact, while the V17 Program proved DAVACO Canada could innovate and deliver on a grand scale. What started with single item installations turned into a partnership that has shaped the face of McDonald's restaurants across Canada for over 10 years.

DAVACO Canada is committed to the same high-quality service level for all our clients, regardless of job size or scope. Whether it's a national rollout, installation, or simply reliable and efficient facility maintenance, DAVACO Canada is proud to support Canadian businesses with the transformation and maintenance of their commercial multisite physical real estate.

If you are a Canadian business with a need, DAVACO Canada is here to solve it with excellence, efficiency, and integrity. Schedule a call today to discuss your project in more detail.

For more information, check out the case studies for Ronald McDonald House Charities and the V17 Program.

Canada Facilities Maintenance Project Management, Canada FM and PM