McDonald's at Westfield Chodov reopens after refurbishment

Changes at Westfield Chodov, a shopping centre in Prague, are not limited to new tenants. The McDonald's restaurant has reopened after refurbishment, while Tom's Burger in the Grand Kitchen dining area has also undergone alterations. MediaGuru reported the news on 25 September 2026. For those interested in the Czech franchise market, it is an opportunity to look beyond new openings and consider how existing outlets are maintained and updated.

Refurbishments alongside new openings

The report from the Prague shopping centre highlights two parallel developments: an expanding range of businesses and the modernisation of existing premises. It reports that McDonald's has reopened after refurbishment. For Tom's Burger, it confirms alterations to the outlet and its location in Grand Kitchen. However, the available source does not describe the extent of the building work, the new fixtures and equipment, or any changes to service.

This distinction matters. Reopening after refurbishment is not the same as opening an additional branch and does not, in itself, represent network expansion. Nor can a general reference to alterations be taken to imply a new restaurant concept, increased capacity or a change in the menu. The confirmed news here concerns improvements to specific outlets, rather than the announcement of a wider investment programme.

The source does not give the exact date on which McDonald's reopened. The report's publication date should therefore not be confused with the date the refurbishment was completed. For readers tracking individual chains, keeping these details separate is important to avoid creating a misleading picture of the pace of their development.

The centre's wider tenant mix is changing too

The restaurant upgrades are part of broader changes at Westfield Chodov. According to MediaGuru, the centre has added tenants in food and drink, fashion and healthcare in recent weeks. Matcha Station, Herbadent and Wojas have all opened there. Existing outlets are therefore being updated alongside the arrival of new brands, rather than in isolation from changes to the centre's wider offering.

Czech brand Herbadent has opened its first physical shop at the centre. Polish manufacturer Wojas has expanded the choice of footwear and leather accessories. Matcha Station, a concept specialising in drinks made with Japanese matcha, has joined the food and drink line-up, marking its entry into the Czech market. These additions provide the context in which the refurbished restaurants are returning to operation.

However, the available information does not suggest that the arrival of new brands prompted the refurbishments. The report also provides no figures on centre footfall, tenant sales or changes in customer behaviour. The fact that openings and upgrades are happening at the same time is therefore not evidence of any particular commercial outcome. It shows only that the centre is both expanding its offering and updating some existing outlets.

What the news means for the franchise community

For prospective franchisees, the Chodov news is a useful reminder that assessing a concept involves more than counting new locations. The upkeep of existing branches deserves separate consideration. This is an editorial recommendation on evaluating opportunities, not a claim that the reported refurbishment has delivered measurable growth in the restaurant's performance.

The available source does not say whether these particular outlets are run by franchise partners or directly by the respective companies. Nor does it explain how the investment costs are allocated. A brand's presence alone does not establish the contractual model used at a particular branch. The same caution applies to the new tenants: their openings do not, in themselves, constitute announcements of franchise opportunities.

Those in the franchise community can use the report primarily as a starting point for questions. How are renovations planned within the concept under consideration? Who approves their scope? How does the agreement define obligations relating to the outlet's equipment and appearance? Answers should be sought in the documentation for the specific opportunity, rather than inferred from a single report about a shopping centre.

Ask about future refurbishment before investing

When considering a franchise investment, it is worth separating initial expenditure from questions about future alterations. Prospective franchisees can ask the franchisor whether there is a modernisation schedule, how any temporary closure is factored into operational planning and which costs the partner is expected to bear. The Chodov report discloses none of these terms and cannot be used to draw up a budget or estimate a return on investment.

It is equally important to request a detailed refurbishment brief before assessing the significance of the work. Without one, it is impossible to tell whether the focus was mainly on building work, equipment or the customer environment. What is currently confirmed is that McDonald's has reopened after refurbishment and that Tom's Burger has undergone alterations. More detailed conclusions would require further information from the operators.

The practical takeaway: when choosing a franchise, do not ask only about opening a branch. Check the rules for its future refurbishment, who is responsible for the costs and what happens if trading is temporarily interrupted.