McDonald's coming to Riverstone

It's hard to believe it took this long, but the entry to Riverstone off Northwest Boulevard will have its major business this year.

It will be Coeur d'Alene's third McDonald's.

The 4,300- square-foot building will be surrounded on three sides by Northwest Boulevard, its Lakewood Drive entry into Riverstone and West Riverstone Drive. Golden arches aren't visible in the plan submitted to the city. It will have a dual drive-through and seating for 78 people at tables and booths. It won't have a playland.

But this company is No. 2 or 3

Surprisingly, McDonald's is not the country's biggest fast-food chain. Ironically, Cd'A this summer probably will have another outlet for the company that is the largest. A new Subway is planned for the mini-mall under construction where Senior Froggy's used to be in the southeast corner of Seventh Street and Sherman Avenue.

In 2012 figures, Subway had 24,722 outlets in the U.S. followed by No. 2. McDonald's at 14,098, 3. Starbuck's at 10,821, 4. Pizza Hut 7,600, 5. Burger King 7,231, 6. Dunkin' Donuts 7,015. 7. Wendy's 6,549, 8. Dairy Queen 6,187, 9. Taco Bell 5,670 and 10. Domino's Pizza 4,907.

In world-wide figures, Subway has 33,749 outlets followed by No. 2. McDonald's 32,737, 3. Starbuck's 16.858, 4. Kentucky Fried Chicken 16,200, 5. Pizza Hut 13,100, 6. Burger King 12,200, 7. Dunkin' Donuts 8,800, 8. Domino's Pizza 8,533, 9. Wendy's 6,650 and 10. Taco Bell 6,450.

However, the world's biggest fast-food company is Yum! Based in Louisville, Ky., it comprises Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut to total 35,750 world-wide, about 2,000 bigger than Subway.

Its website (www.yum.com) says it has 38,000 combined outlets in 120 countries with a million employees.

More information on Riverstone

According to the December newsletter of the Lake City Development Corp. (LCDC), Riverstone has about 70 businesses with 800 employees.

The 132 Riverstone condominiums are completely sold. And to the south, the Riverstone West 50-unit apartment complex is full. Plans are building for an additional 150 units, many with views of the Spokane River.

Meanwhile the business units along Main Street west of the Regal Cinema are being "finished" for occupancy. The LCDC newsletter says another restaurant is planned for property on the pond. And we keep hearing rumors about a Trader Joe's coming to the complex.

Preferred Card Services open on Third

The Coeur d'Alene office for Preferred Card Services opened this fall at 301 N. Third St. (the former U.S. Bank building).

The company provides businesses with payment solutions for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express check guarantee, electronic check and gift-card processing that accept these cards for goods and services.

The company began 27 years ago in Long Beach, Calif. Local owner John Mahin and his family came to North Idaho three years ago after visiting here.

Hours here are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Phone 667-1213.

Check www.preferredcard.net.

Now we have the Tidbits

- Watch for information on a new owner of the Garnet Cafe and a new location for ABCD Daycare.

- Drivers need to turn on their lights in the morning and late-afternoon twilight. The unlit ones say they can see us. Yes, we have our lights on!

- Two hats were hanging around on a hallway hat rack. One said to the other: "You stay here. I'll go on a head."

- It's impossible to lick your elbow. At least 75 percent of those who read this will try.

- Contact Nils Rosdahl at nrosdahl@cdapress.com.