In early 2024 there was a new Taco Bell built on Decatur and Grand Teton, near Shadow Ridge. However this year’s new addition to the parking lot might cause some foot traffic, as of late 2025 a McDonald’s On The Go is currently under construction and it’s expected to be completed during 2026.
However, something that may cause a bit of trouble for most high schoolers is that McDonald’s will be a drive thru only. The On The Go branches typically do, however, have a mobile pick up window as well. This will not be the last of the McDonald’s drive thru only, because McDonald’s is currently working on making a more effective and quick service pace.
Although for most high schoolers this means a lack of accessibility to this new McDonald’s if it does not have a walk up window and according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as only 61% of high schoolers in Nevada are able to drive. Shadow Ridge has around 3,119 students according to the 2023-2024 school year, which would be 1216.41 students who would not be able to take advantage of this new McDonald’s.
However some locations will also allow people to order through the McDonald’s app and pick up their order curbside which will allow for Shadow Ridge students without a car to still get their food if this policy is implemented. However, quite a lot of students don’t mind the car only policy.
Conner Mitchell, a junior at Shadow Ridge High School states, “The food is there either way so it doesn’t affect me.”
However he makes a good point as this won’t affect every student although a teacher at Shadow Ridge has a different opinion.
Mrs.Wilson a social studies teacher states, “I think a McDonald’s being a drive thru only is actually a pretty smart idea given its location. We have all seen how crazy In-n-Out can get after football games and other events where a bunch of high school students are there to hang out and sometimes cause chaos. With the new location being so close to the school, I think it would be a smart move to not allow customers inside the restaurant, as this can help deter students from ditching class to go hang out there, as well as discourage any crazy group hangouts that could cause issues for the restaurant staff too. It may cause some resentment from other customers who may choose to go to the other location a little ways down Decatur if they desire to sit inside and cannot. Overall I think that having a drive through only location is not a bad idea for safety, and it could even save the restaurant money since they won’t need as many staff to run the interior.”
After looking at a few different sides of the argument people can get an idea of the good and bad parts about the new drive thru McDonald’s coming soon. Overall most people are just excited about having more variety in food options.
