McDonald’s Opens Newly Constructed, 24/7 Location at Rutgers Plaza in Franklin Twp., N.J.

FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. (Jan. 21, 2025) – The much-anticipated opening of a new McDonald’s restaurant at Rutgers Plaza in Franklin Township has arrived, adding a modern and convenient dining option to the Easton Avenue shopping center and its neighborhood. The highly visible, 4,500-square-foot establishment – featuring dual side-by-side drive-thrus – was developed on a principal pad site at the property. Levin Management Corporation (LMC) serves as leasing and managing agent for the 268,000-square-foot Somerset County retail property. LMC’s Sidney Singer, vice president of leasing, arranged the McDonald’s lease on behalf of property ownership; Chuck Lanyard and Marc Palestina of The Goldstein Group represented the tenant. Levin’s in-house construction team secured approvals for the McDonald’s building. “Quick-serve and fast-casual dining options are welcome additions to any shopping center, driving consistent traffic, elevating the shopping experience and encouraging customers to spend more time during their visit,” said Singer. “McDonald’s is a global leader in the fast-food segment and a high-quality enhancement for Rutgers Plaza. As a brand, McDonald’s is evolving; everything at this new location is state-of-the-art.” McDonald’s relocated locally, from an older building to its new prototype restaurant at Rutgers Plaza. The location is open 24/7 and features a modern and comfortable dining area for up to 62 patrons, self-order kiosks with interactive touchscreens, and a dedicated mobile pickup area. An electric car charging station supports sustainable travel while customers enjoy their meals. 

Anchored by a high-performing Stop & Shop, Rutgers Plaza is a popular retail destination strategically positioned to serve a diverse and growing residential population of 277,500 within a five-mile radius. The center’s tenant mix also includes Crunch Fitness, Dollar Tree, Venus Jewelers, Moral’s Village Hot Pot, Chase Bank and Flame Kabob House, among others. 

These businesses capitalize on the property’s exceptional visibility, robust demographics and proximity to Rutgers University—a key driver of consistent foot traffic. Rutgers Plaza attracts 1.7 million visitors annually, according to real-time traffic data from Placer.ai, reflecting its role as a cornerstone of the local community. For seven decades, North Plainfield, N.J.-based LMC has served as a trusted single-source commercial real estate services provider for institutional and private owners. Its diversified, retail-focused leasing and management portfolio includes 125 properties totaling more than 16 million square feet in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

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