McDonald's Restaurant Grand Opening

What Celebrating the McDonald's restaurant!

Where Niagara Falls

When July 24, 2026

The Story

There's a new McDonald's in town – and it's serving up something extra special alongside the Big Macs.

When the newest McDonald's restaurant on Victoria Avenue in Niagara Falls opened its doors, it did more than welcome guests to one of Canada's busiest tourism destinations. It also created another opportunity for the community to support families with seriously ill or injured children when they need it most.

A Family Legacy of Giving Back

Matt Katz isn't new to this. As a third-generation McDonald's Owner/Operator, he's carrying forward a family tradition of serving communities across the Niagara region, employing hundreds of local residents along the way.

He's also a passionate supporter of Ronald McDonald House South Central Ontario (RMH SCO) — in 2025 alone, his restaurant teams raised nearly $80,000 to help families with seriously ill children. Every new restaurant means more chances for the community to pitch in too, through things like Round-Up for Ronald McDonald House, McHappy Day, and other fundraising initiatives right at the register.

"Opening a new restaurant is always exciting, but what means the most to us is knowing it also creates another way for our community to give back," said Anne Molnar, Community Relations Representative for the Niagara Falls McDonald's Restaurants. "Ronald McDonald House is there for families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. If this new restaurant helps more families receive that support, then that's something our entire team can be proud of."

Niagara Falls McDonalds

Lighting Up the Falls

To celebrate, one of Canada's most famous landmarks got in on the fun. At 10:15 p.m. on July 24, Niagara Falls lit up in red and yellow – McDonald's and Ronald McDonald House's signature colours – marking the beginning of even more support for families with seriously ill children. The restaurant is now open to the public, welcoming anyone who passes through the tourism district each year – each with a chance to make a difference, just by grabbing a meal.

Why It Matters, Straight From a Family Who Knows

It's easy to talk about fundraising totals. It's another thing to hear what that support actually means to a family living through it. Eryn Hart, a Ronald McDonald House alumni mom, put it simply:

"Donations mean so much to our family, as they directly impacted the experience we had while staying in the hospital. It provides for families like ours to be able to focus 100% on our sick children, because we know that we have the support of the RMH Family Room while we are there."

That's the real reason behind the Round-Up jar at the register and every McHappy Day — giving families like Eryn's one less thing to worry about.

Niagara Falls MP Tony Baldinelli shared his own personal story about staying at the House during the grand opening ceremony. It was a powerful moment, and a reminder that this support touches families across the community, regardless of who they are.

Supporting Families Close to Home

Roughly half of the families RMH SCO supports travel from the Niagara region to access specialized medical care at McMaster Children's Hospital. Beyond the 41-bedroom Ronald McDonald House and two Family Rooms in Hamilton, RMH SCO also runs a Family Room and Care Cart at Marotta Family Hospital in St. Catharines — comfort, meals, and a place to recharge for families receiving care closer to home.

"For families from Niagara, Matthew's support feels especially meaningful because it comes from someone in their own community," said Mario De Divitiis, CEO of Ronald McDonald House South Central Ontario. "Every McDonald's restaurant creates opportunities for generosity, and every act of generosity helps families stay together while their child receives medical care."

Serving Up More Support for Families

As Ronald McDonald House South Central Ontario continues Serving Up More Support for Families, partnerships with local owner/operators and their teams show what's possible when generosity grows right alongside a community. So next time you're playing tourist in Niagara Falls, stop in to the new Victoria Avenue location for a bite and know that your visit is doing a little more than filling your stomach — it's helping keep families together when they need it most.

Round up. Grab a meal. Make a difference. It's that easy.