Chicago event
kicks off a series of exclusive pop-ups celebrating past and
present Crew
CHICAGO, Sept. 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 1 in 8 Americans are living
proof that a job at McDonald's is more than just serving burgers
and fries. It's about being part of a community unlike any other
and gaining valuable experience to help grow your career. More than
70% of past and present crew members, known as the "1 in 8," say
the Golden Arches is where they learned key skills they've used
throughout their careers – like communication, collaboration,
dependability and leadership. And nearly half of the 1 in 8 say
their job at McDonald's created opportunities they wouldn't have
gotten otherwise.
Crew are the heart and soul of McDonald's, and we take pride in
recognizing them for all they do to make our fans' days a little
more golden.
Today, we kicked off Employees Only, a
first-of-its-kind event series celebrating the 1 in 8. These events
provide past and present Crew exclusive access to networking and
mentorship opportunities, inspiring success stories and advice from
accomplished alumni, and unforgettable experiences that foster
connection and excitement around being in the 1 in 8 community.
The title Employees Only is a nod to the
iconic doors seen at McDonald's restaurants across the country.
What happens behind these doors is so much more than you might
imagine – it's a unique shared experience that unlocks vital skills
and opportunities to harness endless career possibilities.
Hosted in our hometown of Chicago, the Employees Only
launch featured a star-studded roster of 1 in 8ers including:
- Comedian and SNL alum Chris
Redd, who performed a stand-up set inspired by his time
as a crew member – sharing how his experiences over two stints at
McDonald's gave him the drive and work ethic to embark on a
successful comedy career.
- James Beard award-winning
chef Kwame Onwuachi, who put his
signature Afro-Caribbean twist on McDonald's Spicy Buffalo Sauce
and McDonald's Tangy Barbeque Sauce during a live cooking demo. He
also talked about how the skills he learned as a crew member –
including running a kitchen – helped propel him to culinary
stardom.
- Actress, TV host and Emmy Award winner Clarissa Molina, who tapped her personal
experience to inspire 1 in 8ers while they posed for professional
headshots. Also, Clarissa spoke about how her time at McDonald's
prepared her to become Miss Dominican Republic 2015, place Top 6 in
Miss Universe and win Nuestra Belleza Latina VIP in 2017.
Chris, Kwame and Clarissa also joined fellow 1 in 8ers
Faith Taylor – an Archways to
Opportunity graduate – and franchise owner Gianna Funkhouser on a Fryside Chat panel.
During this Q&A session with attendees, they talked about their
career journeys, what it means to be part of the 1 in 8 and how
having a job at McDonald's played an instrumental role in their
success.
"Nowadays, people are surprised to hear that one of my first
jobs was at McDonald's," said Chris
Redd. "When I look back on those times, I remember
McDonald's always had my back. Once I stepped through those
Employees Only doors, I learned what it means to put real work
ethic to practice, which is a must if you want to survive as a
comedian – or really in any profession."
In addition to connecting with notable alumni and other 1 in
8ers, attendees received professional headshots, toured a historic
uniform exhibit showing crew apparel over the years, participated
in a friendly skills challenge, and picked up limited-edition swag
at an exclusive merch station.
"We've heard from members of the 1 in 8 that they feel a sense
of pride in being part of this exclusive club and the shared
experience a job at McDonald's brings," said Alma Anguiano, U.S. National Field People
Officer at McDonald's and 1 in 8er. "Employees Only is
just one example of our ongoing commitment to connect past and
present Crew members, provide them with exclusive opportunities
like mentorships with notable alumni who've gone on to make an
impact in the world, and so much more."
From Thank You Crew and Homecoming to Employees
Only events, we're building upon experiences we've hosted
exclusively for crew members over the past few years to help them
grow, whether at McDonald's or beyond.
Now, with Employees Only events, we're taking it
to another level. Over the next several months, the series will
roll out in cities across the country – for example, San Diego and Washington D.C. – to create spaces for
connection, discussion and networking among the 1 in 8
community.
If you're a member of the 1 in 8 and want to be involved in
future opportunities, share your story on
www.McDonalds1in8.com.
McDonald's USA
McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options
made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day.
Ninety-five percent of McDonald's approximately 13,500 U.S.
restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees. At
franchised restaurants, the independent franchisee is the sole and
exclusive employer of all restaurant employees – the franchisee
alone sets all terms and conditions of employment, establishes all
employment policies and practices, and is solely responsible for
all employment-related matters in the restaurant. For more
information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, and follow us on social: X,
Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Media Contact:
press@us.mcd.com
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SOURCE McDonald's USA, LLC