PALOS HEIGHTS — City officials and members of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce gathered on Wednesday, May 7, to celebrate the grand reopening of the McDonald’s at 7100 W. 127th Street. The event, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, welcomed the fast-food restaurant into the chamber and spotlighted its full-scale renovation.
The location, owned by Tanya Lawrence of Chicago and her brother-in-law Edgar Herrera of Park Ridge — both part of the Mendez family — underwent a complete remodel in February. It officially reopened in March with a fresh, modern design, featuring expanded seating and new touch-screen ordering kiosks.
“This has been quite the opportunity,” said Herrera. “Our family has been with McDonald’s for over 30 years, and we’ve learned a lot on this journey.”
The Mendez family bought the Palos Heights McDonald’s three years ago but has been involved with the franchise since 1991. They now own and operate 32 locations across the region.
“My dad passed away in July 2022, but we chose to keep the Mendez family name,” Lawrence said. “We’re thrilled to be part of the Palos Heights community and look forward to growing with it.”
Mayor Bob Straz praised the Mendez family for their investment in the city and their commitment to improvement.
“They’ve really updated and enhanced the store,” Straz said. “It shows their dedication to further investing in our community.”
Lawrence shared that her family’s roots in McDonald’s began with a bold decision by her parents more than three decades ago.
“They took a chance so we could have a better life,” she said.
Now, as the family enters a new chapter in Palos Heights, they are aiming to do more than just run a successful business. Lawrence stressed their intention to become an active partner in the community.
“We’re fortunate to operate here, but we want to be more than a business,” she said. “We’re dedicated to serving local communities and love partnering with schools, churches, park districts, and first responders for fun, meaningful fundraising events.”
She added that creating a warm, inviting space remains a top priority.
“We want this restaurant to be a place where friends and families can gather, enjoy good food at a fair price, and feel at home,” Lawrence said. “All of us operators grew up with McDonald’s, and we want our guests to build those same memories.”
Palos Area Chamber of Commerce President Todd Probasco also shared a personal connection to the location.
“I grew up right here and remember sitting in this McDonald’s as a kid,” Probasco said. “Having McDonald’s as a member of our chamber strengthens our shared history and our mission to promote and support local businesses.”
Founded in 1949, the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce continues to serve as a vital resource for business owners and community members alike.
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