If you ask Michael Meoli why he feels so connected to McDonald’s, he’ll tell you he has ketchup running through his veins.
The president and owner-operator of The Meoli Cos., based in Delaware, owns more than two dozen restaurants in Southern Delaware and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
In 2024, he decided to expand his knowledge, expertise and love for the golden arches to Hampton Roads. After he learned of another franchisee’s retirement, Meoli purchased 11 McDonald’s locations in Norfolk and one in Chesapeake.
He rebuilt a McDonald’s, which opened May 7, on the ground floor of the Unity Place at Kindred apartment complex on East Freemason Street. It replaces the previous store that was torn down as part of the St. Paul’s redevelopment project.
“Probably the most unique feature of this restaurant is its side-by-side drive-thru that runs underneath the building,” Meoli said. It also features a modernized lobby with kiosks, a late-night walk-up window, and dedicated mobile ordering and delivery capabilities.
This McDonald’s sits on the bottom floor of Unity Place at Kindred apartments along St. Paul’s Boulevard in Norfolk. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
The excitement for the newly opened St. Paul’s McDonald’s builds more and more every day, said John Ulp, district supervisor.
“I’ve spoken with some of the customers who lived in that area when it was Tidewater Park and now they’re back living in the new complex,” Ulp said. “They’re excited about the growth potential that’s going on, what the city’s doing and they’re so excited to have a McDonald’s back in their neighborhood.”
Meoli sees a lot of potential in the Norfolk area, especially for mobile ordering and delivery and community involvement, he said.
“The stores have a lot of opportunity in terms of remodeling and reconnecting with the community,” Meoli said, “which is really kind of the hallmark of the way I do business.”
Almost all of the restaurants have either undergone or are set to undergo renovations — totaling $10 million — to bring new life to them. The Chesapeake location, at 1401 22nd St., will be torn down for a complete rebuild with an anticipated opening in February or March next year.
Zycura English wipes down a table at the McDonald’s on St. Paul’s Boulevard in Norfolk on May 22. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
The Norfolk locations are:
• 4125 Granby St. (reopened in early May)
• 8402 Tidewater Drive (set to reopen in mid-June)
• 211 E. Little Creek Road (scheduled to reopen in mid-July)
• 1632 E. Little Creek Road (remodeling starts in July; store reopens by mid-October)
• 8300 Hampton Blvd. (reopened in December)
• 4108 Hampton Blvd. (reopened in December)
• 9635 Duffys Lane (no renovations needed)
• 3679 Sewells Point Road (reopened in mid-December)
• 1046 Campostella Road (reopened in September)
• 105th St., Naval Station Norfolk (reopened in October)
“They’re all snowflakes and are all different in terms of what each store needs,” Meoli said. “Each restaurant is being designed to handle the business of today, which is very different than even three or four years ago.”
The reality is that no more than 12% to 15% of customers are dining inside the restaurants these days, he said.
Some of the renovations include new parking lots, side-by-side drive-thrus, floors, ceilings, restrooms and complete kitchen remodels, but the bulk involves the setups for delivery options and customer orders.
Customers are also excited about the new look and double drive-thrus at other of Meoli’s newly owned locations, Ulp said.
“The revitalization of McDonald’s in Norfolk reflects our belief that when we raise our standards and reinvest in our people and our communities, the city’s true potential rises with us,” Meoli said.
Zycura English hands an order to a customer at the McDonald’s on St. Paul’s Boulevard in Norfolk on May 22. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
As a retail restaurant, being as modern and relevant to customers and their needs is important to business, he said.
“It’s critical, especially when you consider the competitive nature of the quick-service industry and the new players coming into the market,” he said.
Established businesses like McDonald’s must be relevant not only with its people, branding and marketing, but also with its buildings, Meoli said.
“Our buildings really are our customers’ connection to the brand, so it’s important that we invest in those things on a regular basis,” he said.
Meoli Cos. has already raised its wages close to $2 per hour over the minimum wage.
The St. Paul’s restaurant hired just under 50 crew members and managers, Meoli said. And the company offers the Archways to Opportunity program throughout all of the locations to help employees earn their high school diplomas, college degrees or to learn English.
A second-generation McDonald’s franchisee, Meoli follows in the footsteps of his father and uncle who ventured into the business in 1972. On the McDonald’s payroll nonstop since he was a junior in high school in 1980, Meoli started to work for the company full time in 1987 after he graduated from Shepherd University.
Meoli’s father, Anthony Meoli, and uncle Jim Dresher operated a dozen restaurants in Maryland. Meoli started to purchase them in 1991 to expand his portfolio.
“I knew from a very, very early age that I wanted to be in the business,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for a long, long time and I still love it.”
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com
