A new McDonald’s drive-thru has opened at a service station on the M20.

Today the fast food restaurant has begun serving burgers and fries at Roadchef in Maidstone, at Junction 8.

The new restaurant employs 25 people and was built as part of a nationwide expansion scheme by the fast-food giant.

Ross James, site manager, said: “This brand-new McDonald’s drive-thru at Maidstone will work in tandem with our core focus: to provide a relaxing and refreshing break with customer convenience at the forefront.

“As the site is situated on a particularly high traffic route, serving millions of visitors each year, we are pleased to offer them the choice of both dining in the restaurant and in the comfort of their own car.

“Not only will a drive-thru provide a faster and easier option for visitors, but it will also further build on the area’s prospects in the form of long-term employment opportunities.

"We look forward to welcoming new visitors and employees in the coming weeks.”

To celebrate the opening, the motorway services operator is running a competition today (Friday) for the first 50 people to visit the new McDonald’s drive-thru at Roadchef Maidstone.

To be in the chance of winning a meal worth up to £25, customers aged 18 and above will be asked to give a secret password of ‘roll with it’ when they place their order.

McDonald’s previously shared a building with Costa Coffee and WHSmith at the Roadchef services near Leeds Castle.

At the beginning of October plans to remove an ATM from the site and erect a slip road for a drive-thru were approved.

It is the second drive-thru at the services, opposite the current Costa one.

Plans were originally refused in September due to the absence of a transport assessment, but were then given the green light at a council meeting in October.

The site previously had 292 parking spaces but lost 37 as a result of the changes.

In 2021 the services were ranked among the worst in the UK, with Tripadvisor reviewers criticising its “filthy toilets” and “zombie like” staff.

The Roadchef rest area also came in the bottom 10 of almost 70 service stations rated by Which? members.