Vista Technology Support opens McTraining Centre as part of Engineering Centre of Excellence in Cardiff

Vista Technology Support has unveiled a 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, this 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.

It 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,” says Pepper. “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.”

Vista engineers undergo training across a broad spectrum of retail and hospitality technologies, all within the company’s dedicated training facilities. This 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 QSRs, engineers are trained to work confidently with the technologies deployed across these diverse settings.

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

Vista’s "one engineering service partner" model was selected by McDonalds to work in partnership with NCRV. Vista has transitioned all technology services requiring on-site engineering support at McDonald’s restaurants throughout the UK and Ireland from several service providers to itself as a single provider.

Its team of over 150 engineers provides 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 a 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.

The company is also responsible for assessing, repairing, and refurbishing all technology found defective or needing refurbishment. Transitioning to a single provider model has resulted in 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%.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Vista Technology Support is the Headline and Drinks Reception Sponsor at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.