McDonald’s teases opening for Darlington Faverdale restaurant

The fast-food giant shared a video on Facebook on September 3, telling customers: “A new store is opening in Faverdale, Darlington. Opening date coming soon.”

The post has sparked fresh excitement over the new restaurant on Faverdale Industrial Estate, which has been under construction since March 2025.

However, an official opening date has not yet been confirmed and said a date will be announced soon.

The site was originally expected to open in December 2025, but that deadline was missed as work continued.

An opening in early 2026 was then suggested before McDonald’s later said the restaurant was expected to open in late summer 2026.

A McDonald’s spokesperson previously said: “We’re looking forward to opening our new restaurant in Darlington, due to open in late summer 2026.

“The restaurant will bring significant investment to the local area and deliver up to 120 full and part-time jobs.”

The Faverdale restaurant is expected to become McDonald’s third branch in Darlington.

The wider development has been in the pipeline for several years. Plans were initially deferred by Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee in July 2023 amid concerns over the potential impact on existing businesses and jobs, before being approved the following month.

Earlier plans for the site included McDonald’s, Costa Coffee and Taco Bell, as well as additional retail units and an industrial unit.

Costa Coffee is still due to open a drive through branch at Faverdale. Taco Bell, however, is no longer expected to be part of the scheme after developers Metcalf Harland Property Investment said the chain did not sign a lease.

A new Taco Bell site has recently opened on 3 Albert Road, at the former KFC site on North Road.

McDonald’s has now told customers to watch out for an opening date announcement.