The fast food giant has been granted consent to open a 24-hour drive-through in the town's Three Parks area.
The non-notified process, which disallowed public input, was in stark contrast to the previous push by McDonald's to open a restaurant at Mt Iron.
That plan resulted in 367 public submissions, most of which were opposed to the plans, along with pickets, a petition and a three-day council hearing.
Critics objected to the potential look of McDonald's in the lakeside town, along with concerns about rubbish, traffic and healthy eating.
The approval grants a 450.4sqm McDonald’s restaurant and drive through - located near the BP service station at 1 Sir Tim Wallis Drive.
The restaurant and drive-through would operate 24 hours per day, seven days a week – the first of its kind in Wānaka.
- Allied Media
