The world’s worst McDonald’s, located in Ottawa, Canada, will close in April. The Outlet on Rideau Street received the label “World’s Worst McDonald’s” due to continual disturbances and persistent criminal activity within the restaurant and in its immediate neighborhood. The eatery made a total of 800 emergency calls to the police in 2018. A popular video from the branch in 2013 shows a man pulling a raccoon out of his sweater during a brawl involving 15 people. A former manager of the outlet said on Reddit that customers would frequently make death threats to personnel. A TripAdvisor user described the restaurant as “vomit-inducing and dangerous.”
Rideau Street McDonald’s: A constant pain in the neck for Ottawa police
Following many episodes of fighting and disorderly behavior, Ottawa police chief Charles Bordeleau wrote to McDonald’s and conveyed his concerns about the outlet’s continuous criminal activity. Even in 2022, the branch made a total of 150 emergency calls to the police, involving significant offenses such as drug misuse and sexual activity near the toilet.
Why is McDonald’s shutting its Rideau Street branch?
Ottawa and McDonald’s administrations both made steps to reduce criminal activity near the restaurant. To reduce violent actions, the 24-hour franchise’s operating hours were adjusted from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and only takeout was permitted. Instead, the measures had a significant impact on the outlet’s revenue.
Rideau Street shutting down this April
According to property owner Peter Crosthwaite, McDonald’s has declined to extend the lease, thus the shop will be offered for rent beginning in July. Crosthwaite further stated that the pandemic, trucker demonstrations, and the installation of a subway extension in the area aggravated the McDonald’s outlet’s problems.
