AnonMcdOwner

None of us is as good as all of us. The more I help others succeed, the more I succeed. If two executives think the same, one of them is superfluous. -Ray

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

Watching a video about the CIA, who they recruit, how/why, etc…ran across this and found it very interesting.

Explains a lot.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

@McFranchisee @McDonalds Because we often hear things from the media first…I thought I’d missed something.

I guess not.

Never spoke with the owner- wonder how it’s going?

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

@McFranchisee Is that the one….S=Shake side? (If you know you know)

Taken apart every night, put together every AM?

There have been so many over the years- I just can’t keep them straight.

As my personal Rolodex, my wife would agree.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

I’ll admit it—I absolutely did… and there’s no way I can raise my hand without risking injury or public shame.

My only athletic achievement left is winning gold at lunchtime in the 100-meter fry dash. If the fry station was an Olympic sport, I’d be on the podium, wheezing and smiling. Or would have been.

I’ll probably just waddle away like a penguin and hope nobody notices I can’t breathe.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

I’m right here in my restaurant today, like I am every day after decades in this business. My family has been with McDonald’s since the ‘60s, and we’re all healthy and proud of it. In fact dad was quite the athlete in the not so distant past and he ate here literally every single day.

The idea that we’re ���poisoning” anyone is just, I don’t know what it is. Our labels are transparent and we’ve committed to clean ingredients, removing artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors from classics like the Big Mac and Cheeseburgers. We’ve even phased out toxic chemicals like PFAS from packaging by 2025 for added safety.

Our beef is 100% USDA-inspected from trusted U.S. suppliers like Lopez Foods and Keystone Foods, sourced responsibly from places like the U.S., Australia, and Brazil under strict deforestation-free policies.

Our potatoes for our World Famous Fries come from family farms across America, using premium varieties like Russet Burbank grown in places like Washington and Idaho. No conspiracies—just quality food from real farmers.

And let’s talk “big business”: 95% of McDonald’s restaurants are independently owned by families like mine, not some faceless corporation. Everything I’ve worked for is invested here, so I care deeply about serving safe, affordable meals.

We’re the ones sponsoring kids’ sports teams, Little League games, and youth soccer leagues nationwide. We support ag kids through scholarships like HACER for Hispanic youth and by sourcing from sustainable farms that keep rural communities thriving.

Plus, Ronald McDonald House Charities helps families with sick children—over 260 chapters worldwide, thanks to our franchisees and customers- mom and dad can be with their sick child because of that organization alone with no fear of overextending with expensive hotel bills. What a visionary idea!

If I disclosed my location, I’d pay you to find someone who has something bad to say about me personally or my restaurant. It’s the cleanest, fastest and we have employed thousands over the years. The best compliment I remember is the local pharmacist: “It was the best first job I could have ever asked for.”

I’d suggest that we all look for ways to find the good that others give- rather than to destroy, to tear down, to denigrate.

While I’m not sure how I feel about automation, my guess is it’s extraordinarily expensive, probably beyond my reach and impossible for me to earn a living owning such a restaurant but I know nothing of this concept.

I get wanting to eat smart and support local—that’s why we do too. I live 6 miles from where I’m seated and I’m not going home anytime soon. I work 60+hrs/wk to this day.

But twisting facts into drama doesn’t help anyone. Let’s build strong communities together, one meal at a time. @McFranchisee

[LeeRoy @Budman308]

@MAVERIC68078049 Cook your own food, pack a lunch like your grandpa did. Support family owned restaurants that aren’t trying to poison you. You must stay healthy and strong!

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

I’m right here in my restaurant today, like I am every day after decades in this business—my family has been eating McDonald’s since the ‘60s, and we’re all healthy and proud of it.

The idea that we’re “poisoning” anyone is just fearmongering; our labels are transparent and we’ve committed to clean ingredients, removing artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors from classics like the Big Mac and Cheeseburgers. We’ve even phased out toxic chemicals like PFAS from packaging by 2025 for added safety.

Our beef is 100% USDA-inspected from trusted U.S. suppliers like Lopez Foods and Keystone Foods, sourced responsibly from places like the U.S., Australia, and Brazil under strict deforestation-free policies.
The potatoes for our World Famous Fries come from family farms across America, using premium varieties like Russet Burbank grown in places like Washington and Idaho. No conspiracies—just quality food from real farmers.

And let’s talk “big business”: 95% of McDonald’s restaurants are independently owned by families like mine, not some faceless corporation. Everything I’ve worked for is invested here, so I care deeply about serving safe, affordable meals.

We’re the ones sponsoring kids’ sports teams, Little League games, and youth soccer leagues nationwide. We support ag kids through scholarships like HACER for Hispanic youth and by sourcing from sustainable farms that keep rural communities thriving. Plus, Ronald McDonald House Charities helps families with sick children—over 260 chapters worldwide, thanks to our franchisees and customers.

I get wanting to eat smart and support local—that’s why we do too. But twisting facts into drama doesn’t help anyone. Let’s build strong communities together, one meal at a time.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

@MAVERIC68078049 Well…as usual, others know before we do.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

@jamal_hassan256 Happened upon this.

You may or may not know how critical, accurate and how meaningful this is.

[Malvin @ManOfFocus_]

Dear son,

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

@jonathanmaze @McFranchisee Likely a copyright infringement but also it works as it is- for some reason, this year seems a bit more enthusiastic than the last few, could just be me though.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

I’m no expert but I suspect a very large percentage of those taking a break are in enough of a rush that they don’t need a nudge.

Look for yourself, I rarely see someone who is playing in a casino that appreciates a break- away from the constant pull of those machines, tables and games…in fact, I’d wager that a measurable % have their seat saved from wherever they came.

Tip: My personal favorite restrooms in LV are quietly stashed in the back of high limit rooms. Often single seaters- so one can be in peace, even for a short time….and those don’t have the same level of music as it’s unnecessary…but out on the main floor- different story.

Fun fact: a lot of the high limit rooms have an even higher limit room that’s quietly residing around a corner, deliberately hidden from view, but my understanding is that- at least in LV, “they” cannot prohibit public entry to any part of the casino so it is difficult to find, maybe uncomfortable to enter. All of it is very much designed- maybe w/security discreetly standing at the entrance, designed to deter a casual player from strolling through and bothering their “whales” while they win….but more often- lose small or large fortunes at whatever level they’re comfortable.

Could be blackjack at $5000/hand, could be $50k/hand baccarat. Could even be ultra high limit slots but I think they’re all in the high limit room already.

Casinos too work at volume but these days, especially on the strip casino’s main floors, volume has been replaced by variance and reduced RTP.

Back on topic…

While McDonald’s early seating was designed with a max comfort level of ~15 min, we were and remain dependent on volume for profitability. Even the colors- red/yellow had a purpose- theoretically triggers hunger and energy and supplements the 15min loiter strategy…red/yellow chairs/tables were designed for don’t get comfortable, we want that table “turned” quickly for the next customer. Take all the time you need…but hurry. :)

Once this knowledge is lost, it’s simply gone. I am positive that whoever pushed for a couch in some lobbies had/has ZERO knowledge of the “why’s” that were quite well thought through.

There are MANY of these things:
Why two trash liners?
Why two towels in the lobby (and NOT rags)?
Why “Thank You” is a required response between crew and/or mgrs?
Why is it “trash” and not “garbage?”
Why always a first name basis?
Why is facial hair not acceptable- even in corporate offices? Why is the manager the second one out the door at closing time?
Why do we assemble no more than two sandwiches/time (does anyone remember the VHS video showing the speed/volume difference?)

That’s off of the top of my head. I know I’m missing a bunch.

Seems like there are ops manuals out there someplace that explained this stuff at some point- but I am quite impressed with today’s videos that train our crews, they don’t miss much.

Interesting observation though- you may be right.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

This reminds me of a story….and a lesson.

Took an hour or more to write, did it because everyone likes a good story that points to something that’s been hiding in plain sight our whole lives, so I took some time with this one:

A few years ago, I was in Las Vegas for a McDonald’s convention… which, if you’ve never been, is an event somewhere between a pep rally and a family reunion with 10,000 distant cousins. When the vendor hall was empty, the suits had scattered, and I was back in the casino, grateful for the hum of slot machines over another discussion about drive-thru times, I decided I needed a bathroom break so I found one of the restrooms. It was spotless, scented, polished to the point of reflection. The lighting was nice, the marble flawless, and the music was loud…not background noise, but purposeful. Isn’t that strange?

That’s when it hit me. The music wasn’t there for entertainment.

It wasn’t in the restroom to set a mood or keep gamblers upbeat. I’m positive that’s a detail that’s looked after in every single well run casino…sounds, carpets, ceilings- all of it serves a singular obvious purpose.

But the restroom? This loud? They don’t make mistakes like this in Las Vegas, there is always a reason, a purpose, a design. That’s when my McDonald’s encyclopedic knowledge kicked in…and it’s so simple and so elegantly thoughtful that I was weirdly captivated…it’s there simply to drown out your personal noises. And mine.

Someone, somewhere, figured that out. Probably standing in a quiet restroom one day, realizing there had to be a better way. They proposed a simple fix, music with a purpose- and in doing so, created one of the small triumphs of civilization.

That realization took me straight back to the restaurants my family ran. In earlier times, McDonald’s kitchens were wide open, no mystery, no wall between customer and chaos. Customers could stand in the dining room and watch a good grillman work like an artist with a spatula (my dad always said everyone likes watching people good at their job work…and he’s right). At that day and age, the sound s from the grill were constant. Timers beeping. Orders flying. Fries sizzling. And over it all, the bin man- usually the grill manager, barking “Twelve-Six-Turn-Lay!” The reply came instantly, word for word, always ending with a crisp “Thank you.” That was how order was kept. If you worked the grill long enough, it felt like living inside a pinball machine.

It was fast, loud, alive. Somewhere along the way, someone realized our lobby customers didn’t need to share that soundtrack. So music was added. Not for entertainment. Not for branding. But to soften the edges, to mask the racket.

And there I was, years later, in that restroom in Las Vegas, realizing the same principle still holds true, someone came to the same conclusion that an early McDonald’s guy had and for the some reason. Music isn’t just sound, it covers what we’d rather not share and gives everyone a little comfort, a little dignity, without them ever knowing why.

That’s why every McDonald’s restaurants has music and why every one of my restaurants has music in the restrooms, and it’s a little louder than most expect. It’s because I think civilization deserves a good soundtrack and nobody wants to hear….whatever is happening.

Once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.

The tie to operations- if we pay attention to the little things, the big things generally take care of themselves.

[McFranchisee @McFranchisee]

When somebody on X tells me that a new beautiful @McDonalds looks soulless, I just think of a @ChipotleTweets restroom. That my friend is soulless.

Concrete floor, FRP bottom panel, drywall up top…can’t get a cheaper build. Prison vibes.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

That’s gone now.

Today we’re told we’re tenants, as if we should be thankful just to be here. The people running the corporate side don’t know us and don’t care to. Rarely “mix” with us, never unaccompanied and never unprepared. It’s as if some are afraid. Why?

Don’t know but they are the ones who have no skin in the game, no loans, no payroll, no broken ice cream machine at midnight. But they’ve got endless initiatives, dashboards, and rules that make it harder every year to run the business.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

Now they’re offering a refund—but they’re keeping 15%, won’t refund shipping, and still wasted a month of her time.

This isn’t customer service.
It’s a deliberately obstructive system built to confuse and exhaust.
It’s retail fraud with a shopping cart.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

Only after they had the product back did they tell her she’d need to open a PayPal account and send them $94 to complete the exchange.

She’s never used PayPal, I’m sure it’ll be “friends and family” too and we all know why they’d do that- no possibility of help from PayPal.

That was never disclosed upfront. It was a trap, plain and simple.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

I’m sorry I missed your question.

Characterizing us as tenants with a 20 year lease.

I’m sure it wasn’t said but I heard “Nothing more than” before that description.

She was quoting a well known operator from here in CA however it is perplexing that was the message she communicated to us. Of all of the topics and messages she could deliver that’s what she chose to say.

Divisive, dismissive and disrespectful.

Disgusting.

The 4 D’s.

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

This is my first real post to “X” and I’ve been struggling with whether I should do this, but I just can’t let comments made from the stage in Las Vegas go unanswered. I was deeply troubled and it won’t go away.

As a long-standing McDonald's franchisee, I feel compelled to reflect on the recent characterization of us as "tenants" or simple "renters." This perspective not only misrepresents our role but also reveals a profound misunderstanding of the true dynamics at play in our organization.

The context was repeating what an operator in CA said to her. We know him. I wonder why he would do this? he sure grabbed positive attention, even accolades. Is this his motivation? I wonder how this impacts franchising decisions in his neighborhood?

The Reality of Investment and Risk-

We, the franchisees, are the bedrock of this iconic brand. Many of us represent multi-generational ownership, with deep roots in our communities. Our investment is total and personal:

- We fund most of the original building costs
- We cover the majority of remodels, all equipment, signage, furnishings, and maintenance etc.
- We pay the property taxes and employ the workforce that serves our customers daily (no small feat)
- We invest our lives, careers, and family financial futures in this business
-We and our teams physically deliver the actual product

Every dollar generated in our system flows through our restaurants. We are not just the face of the brand; we are its heart and soul.

The Irony of Transience-

Ironically, it is the corporate executives who more closely resemble "transients" in this equation:

- They move from one corporate position to another, often with limited industry experience
- They bear no personal financial investment in the company
- Their tenure is often shorter than that of many franchisees

They benefit from the fruits of our labor, but can’t even manage to pay for conferences with money earned in our stores. We double-pay while they personally pay nothing.

The True Partnership-

The success of McDonald's has always been built on a partnership between the company and franchisees. However, the current rhetoric seems to undermine this crucial relationship. It's important to recognize that without the dedication and investment of franchisees, the McDonald's brand would not exist as we know it today.

Moving Forward-

This observation isn't meant to be divisive, but rather to realign our perspectives. The strength of McDonald's lies in the collaborative effort between the company and franchisees. We remain committed to the success of McDonald's. However, we also expect recognition and respect for our integral role, substantial investments, and the value we contribute daily, even when they’re on extended “holiday” vacations and the like, we work.

Let's move forward with a renewed commitment to mutual respect and collaboration, recognizing that our success is intertwined. After all, as Simon Sinek wisely noted, "Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge."

In the end, we are not simple tenants. We are the operators AND the owners who have personally invested everything we have, and often risked everything we’d ever earned to make this brand what it is today. Our commitment runs deep, and our stake in the success of McDonald's is absolute.

It is time for this reality to be acknowledged, respected, repeated and most importantly, acted on.

An entire speech centered around, “you are only tenants”speaks volumes. I wonder what they say when we aren’t in the room?

[AnonMcdOwner @OwnerMcd]

Given the entrepreneurial vibe and scalability, I’ll guess: an e-commerce business selling high-value niche products (e.g., luxury goods, specialized tech, or rare items). It fits the "friend with a business" narrative, aligns with trends in ultra-lean million-dollar firms, and plausibly clears $1M/employee with a tiny team or solo founder leveraging automation and contractors.

What do you think, @randbusiness? Did I nail it?