LOVERS of fried chicken and happy meals are getting an early Christmas present with fast food stores KFC and McDonald's announcing they will open new stores from tomorrow.

The stores are opening in the Toowoomba East development, formerly known as Eastside Village in Cohoe St.

FAST FOOD: Fast food outlets McDonald's and KFC open today at Eastville complex on Cohoe and Herries Sts. Photo Charlotte Lam / The Chronicle Photo Charlotte Lam / The Chronicle Charlotte Lam

The new development attracted controversy when a community protest group challenged its approval by Toowoomba Regional Council and lost a case in the Planning and Environment Court.

McDonald's Toowoomba East will officially open tomorrow after nearly six months of construction.

Licensee Mark Ward said the new restaurant included a McCafé, a new play land, and seating for 100 guests.

Customers will be able to build their own gourmet burgers, selecting from a range of premium ingredients on digital kiosks from McDonald's Create Your Taste menu.

Reader poll Are you happy the new McDonald's and KFC stores are opening in East Toowoomba? This poll ended on 20 December 2015. Current Results Yes 51% No 48% This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

The company behind KFC, Collins Foods Limited, also announced it was opening a new KFC at Toowoomba East, creating more than 35 new jobs for the area.

A spokesman said residents were invited to visit the new restaurant on the corner of Cohoe and Herries Sts to enjoy the modern dining facilities and contemporary furnishings inspired by a Queensland based interior designer.

To further enhance the customer's in-store experience, the front counter includes digital menu board technology and the latest streamlined method of service to simplify the ordering process, the spokesman said.

As an alternate ordering option, the restaurant's drive-thru features two ordering lanes and an "order, pay, pick-up" system to enhance speed and efficiency for customers.

Restaurant general manager for KFC Toowoomba East Colin Ritter said he was excited to unveil the new restaurant and provide a high level of service enhanced by the new facilities.

GRAND OPENING: General manager Colin Ritter welcomes Garden City residents to a brand new KFC at Eastville. Photo Charlotte Lam / The Chronicle Charlotte Lam

"It is a brand new restaurant with a brand new team all eager to offer great service to our local community," he said.

The new Toowoomba East restaurant is part of Collins Foods' state-wide expansion and upgrade program which includes a number of new and remodelled KFC restaurants in Queensland.

"The new restaurant features are all designed to enhance the customer experience," Collins Foods chief executive officer Graham Maxwell.

"We are also working to minimise our environmental footprint by using water tanks and energy efficient lighting and equipment."

The new McDonald's, is the fifth restaurant to be operated by Mark and Heidi Ward who have been part of the McDonald's family for more than 25 years.

NEW MACCAS: Serving from 9am today are McDonald's East Toowoomba staff (from left) Melissa Ireland, general manager Nathan Whitley, Scott Laman, Shannon Butler, Brayden Taylor, Sheree Kilby and Hannah Warner. Photo Charlotte Lam / The Chronicle Charlotte Lam

Mr Ward said the new restaurant would employ 120 people with most of the crew and managers living in the local area.

"I am proud that the opening of McDonald's Toowoomba East will help create more jobs for local residents and provide fantastic growth opportunities for trainees," he said.

"We already employ in excess of 450 people across five restaurants in the region, with 60 full time staff.

"I look forward to meeting many new faces when we open and continuing to serve Toowoomba East and the surrounding community over the coming years."