Sixth Putnam County Location Continues Family’s 30-Year Commitment To Upper Cumberland
(UCBJ) – The Funderburk Family, a third-generation McDonald’s owner/operator organization, officially broke ground on its newest restaurant at the Willows Shopping Center development at 1124 S. Willow Ave. in Cookeville.
The new restaurant will join other major retailers at the highly anticipated development, including Target, Home Depot and In-N-Out. The location represents a “continued investment in the Cookeville community and local economy,” according to a release by the company.
Venture Construction is expected to construct the building, which is projected to open in fall 2026. Once completed, the restaurant is expected to serve more than 350,000 guests annually.
The project marks the Funderburk organization’s third restaurant opening in three years and will become the family’s sixth McDonald’s location in Putnam County. The new location is expected to create 70 jobs, including:
- Crew member positions
- 10 shift manager roles
- General manager position
“In 10 years, this building will look a lot like any other McDonald’s,” said Jared Funderburk during the groundbreaking ceremony. “But what will not be the same is the people who come to this restaurant, who participate in Archways, the managers who step up, and all of these lives that will be changed with this business. That’s really what today is about.”
The project also “reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting employees through career development opportunities, including the Archways to Opportunity program,” according to the release.
Through the program, employees have access to resources supporting college tuition assistance, high school completion and career advising.
“Crew members will gain access to the Archways to Opportunity program, providing employees with critical funding for college tuition, high school completion and career advising,” according to a release by the company.
Photo courtesy of the Funderburk Family McDonald’s organization. Pictured are members of the organization, McDonald’s officials, Cookeville business leaders and Chamber representatives.
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