Beginning today, the Winchester McDonald’s will be drive-through only for a few weeks.

Kelly Healy, owner of the Winchester McDonald’s, said renovations are being made to the inside and the outside of the restaurant as part of a nationwide effort on behalf of the fast-food chain to present the “experience of the future.”

Construction began today and is expected to last about four weeks.

During that time, the restaurant will be servicing the customers through the drive-through only.

“I hate that we will be inconveniencing our customers while we are remodeling,” Healy said.  “But it’s necessary to close the lobby to accomplish all of these changes.”

“Following the completion of construction by the end of August, customers visiting the McDonald’s in Winchester will experience the restaurant in a new way, with a freshly updated, remodeled restaurant,” according to a press release issued Tuesday.  “The restaurant will offer a new level of choice, engagement and service.”

Ordering options such as self-ordering kiosks, table service and a new third window at the drive-through will be added.

The plan rolled out earlier in the spring, and every restaurant will be completed by the end 2019, Healy said. About 17,000 McDonald’s are participating.

Towards the end of the renovations, the Winchester location will close both drive-through and inside operations for a couple of days but no dates have been confirmed as of yet, Healy said.

“We’re excited to share this evolved experience at McDonald’s with our customers,” Healy said. “We appreciate and value our guests’ feedback on this new experience, and we’re looking forward to offering customers a new, remodeled restaurant.”

Healy has been a McDonald’s owner/operator for more than 30 years, operating 10 restaurants in central Kentucky.

“Over the past 44 years, since our family opened the restaurant in Winchester, we have made numerous changes to the restaurant,” Healy said.  “But this by far will be the largest since the restaurant was rebuilt 15 years ago.”

McDonald’s is referring to these changes as “The Experience of the Future.”

“The decor will be fresh and contemporary, while the exterior will be a cutting-edge design,” according to the release.

“Gone are the red and yellow roofs, that have been on most McDonald’s for decades,” Healy said.

The changes will include much more that contemporary tables and chairs.

“We making numerous changes to the operations of the restaurant as well,” Healy said. “We are adding a third drive-through window, completely revamping the kitchen and adding approximately 20 seats.”