Vista Technology Support has officially unveiled its ground-breaking new training facility, the McTraining Centre, a fully operational replica of a McDonald’s restaurant—minus the food and customers—designed to elevate the standard of engineering training across the business.
Located at Vista’s Head Engineering Centre of Excellence in Cardiff, the McTraining Centre is a purpose-built environment that mirrors the technology and layout of a real McDonald’s restaurant. The facility enables engineers to train in a realistic, hands-on setting, ensuring they are fully prepared to support the complex technology ecosystem found in modern quick-service restaurants.
The McTraining Centre was conceived by James Pepper, CEO at Vista. After a meeting with McDonald’s colleagues and franchisees, the idea emerged to create a holistic restaurant environment for training. The feedback highlighted that, while the training was comprehensive, the technology was scattered across desks and shelves. This inspired the creation of a complete restaurant environment where engineers could interact with technology as it would be installed in an actual McDonald’s restaurant.
“We wanted to create a space that reflects the quality of training we deliver and the high standards our customers expect,” said James Pepper, CEO of Vista Technology Support. “The McTraining Centre brings that vision to life—offering our engineers the opportunity to work with the exact systems they’ll encounter in the field.”
A Realistic, Immersive Training Experience
Vista engineers undergo extensive training across a broad spectrum of retail and hospitality technologies, all within the company’s dedicated training facilities. This blended learning approach combines classroom-based instruction with immersive, hands-on experience in realistic store and restaurant environments. From supermarkets and convenience stores to coffee shops, betting shops, and quick-service restaurants, engineers are trained to work confidently with the technologies deployed across these diverse settings. Whether new to the team or seasoned professionals, all engineers receive tailored training to ensure they are fully equipped to support the evolving needs of Vista’s clients.
The facility features a full suite of McDonald’s technologies, including:
- Drive-thru systems
- POS terminals and self-service kiosks
- Communication headsets and wearable tech
- Digital menu boards and kitchen display systems
- Servers, switches, sensors, and surveillance equipment
Engineering Service Partnership
Vista’s “one engineering service partner” model was selected by McDonalds to work in partnership with NCRV. As the chosen engineering partner, Vista has successfully transitioned all technology services requiring on-site engineering support at McDonald’s restaurants throughout the UK and Ireland from several service providers to a single provider—Vista Technology Support.
Scope of Service and Coverage
Vista’s team of over 150 highly skilled engineers provides round-the-clock, on-site technology support to more than 1,550 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK and Ireland. Operating 24/7, 365 days a year, they maintain and support an extensive network of over 180,000 technology devices, along with the associated cabling infrastructure. From structured data cabling and IMaC (Install, Move, Add, Change) services to IT health checks and break-fix support, Vista engineers are equipped to handle every aspect of in-restaurant IT. Their nationwide presence ensures that McDonald’s and its franchisees receive fast, reliable assistance—whenever and wherever it’s needed.
Repair, Refurbishment, and Sustainability
In addition to proactive and responsive engineering services, Vista is responsible for assessing, repairing, and refurbishing all technology found defective or needing refurbishment. Transitioning to Vista’s single-provider model has proven highly efficient and environmentally sustainable, with 95% of all defective technology being repaired, reused, or repurposed, and the remaining 5% recycled. Furthermore, consolidating engineering services has increased the available spare parts pool by as much as 30%.
Leading the Future of Restaurant Technology Support
Through the development of the McTraining Centre and adoption of a single-provider engineering model, Vista Technology Support continues to lead in the field of restaurant technology services, providing innovative training and comprehensive support for McDonald’s throughout the UK and Ireland.