McDonald's Franchisee Success Stories

From Childhood Dream to McDonald’s Franchisee: Making It Happen -

After a career in IT sales, Shameela Awan-Patel followed a lifelong dream sparked at a childhood birthday party to become a McDonald’s Franchisee. Inspired by family, passion, and perseverance, she turned ambition into reality, building a business rooted in community, role modelling for herr children, and creating a meaningful balance between career and family life.

Before McDonald’s 

I worked in the IT sector in sales. It was fun and it’s where I learned the value of working closely and creating a true partnership with clients and my team. When I had my 5th birthday party at McDonald’s in Southend, I told people that I owned that McDonald’s and from then I had the notion in my head that I would. I had no idea at the time what it meant as I believed that Ronald McDonald owned all the McDonald’s restaurants and knew nothing about Franchising, it was just a dream as my parents would say. As I grew up I never let go of my dream, I always kept it alive. 

My connection with McDonald’s 

Ever since I can remember McDonald’s has been a part of my life. When I was growing up, it was an affordable treat and I have memories of going with my parents for a family meal, or getting breakfast or dinner on the way to or from school. It’s where I had my own and attended birthday parties of friends and it’s where my husband had his first part time job. I didn’t know him then but he still shares his fond memories of his time there even now, and when I told him what my dream was, he understood completely. 

What inspired me to become a McDonald’s Franchisee 

For me, that happened after I had my second son. How was I supposed to be a role model for my two boys if I didn’t live by what I said, follow your dreams and be whoever you want to be as long as you are happy. It inspired me - that application that I had opened and closed so many times before,  I opened it and filled it in and thought that if now isn’t the right time, it will never be. Best decision I made!

 McDonald’s has always been in my life in some shape or form from such a young age and I want my children to see and understand why I have such a passion for the brand. My McDonald’s is not just a business, it’s my family.

Top insight 

To always have the confidence to trust and believe in myself because I have a real opportunity to be a key part of the community I serve. Don’t wait for as long as I did to apply, if you have the passion and know what you can offer to the brand, go ahead and send off that application! Becoming a McDonald’s Franchisee was the golden opportunity Shameela Awan-Patel needed to thrive in a career that would allow her to balance work and a growing family.

From Finance to Franchise -

After 12 years in finance leading mergers and acquisitions for a FTSE-listed construction company, Shafali Shown-Keen took a leap into entrepreneurship with McDonald’s. Drawn by its innovation, people focus, and strong values, she found the perfect opportunity to build her own business while developing teams and creating a rewarding long-term future.

Before McDonald’s

I was in finance spending 12 years completing mergers and acquisitions for a FTSE-listed construction company.

My connection with McDonald’s

McDonald’s is a forward-looking and growth-oriented firm - the technology integration and food innovation are fantastic. Spotting talent and having the power to develop our future leaders is a real privilege.

What inspired me to become a McDonald’s Franchisee

I always wanted a business of my own just as my parents had, and it was actually my father that suggested McDonald’s. After the Franchisee day, I fell completely in love with the idea. McDonald’s were keen to get to know me and see whether I had the right attributes, which gave me the assurance it was the right step for both of us. I was really grateful for the training bursary too.

Top insight

You need good people skills – you’re dealing with customers and Crew as much as the corporate side. You need to know your teams, as strong team morale is vital. You also need to be financially savvy – McDonald’s isn’t a get-rich quick plan, it’s about building a rewarding future.

Being part of a diverse community of Franchisees for one of the world’s most famous brands.

Being a franchisee from an early age gave valuable experience to become a McDonald’s franchisee -

Jonny Nassau began his franchising career at just 21 with the purchase of a tools franchise, developing strong entrepreneurial and leadership skills early on. Joining McDonald’s appealed to Jonny because of its global reputation, strong values, and focus on people development. As an ambitious people person, he enjoys motivating teams and helping others succeed. The extensive training process gave him valuable experience across every level of the business, making the journey challenging but incredibly rewarding when he was selected to operate his own restaurant.

Before McDonald’s

I began my franchising career at the age of 21 with the purchase of a tools franchise.

My connection with McDonald’s

Like McDonald’s, I’m an ambitious ‘people person’ – I love motivating and developing my team, helping them to do their best.

What inspired me to become a McDonald’s Franchisee

The move appealed to me because it’s one of the world’s biggest brands, instantly recognisable to everyone. The extensive recruitment and training process is unique - you get to experience everything from being a Crew Member, Salaried Manager, and working with an experienced Franchisee. It’s incredible what you learn.

Top insight

It’s a long but very rewarding training process – but this does make it feel even more amazing when you are selected to operate a restaurant yourself.

My growth

It’s fulfilling to play a part in helping Crew Members develop in their roles or pursue management opportunities. It contributes to my personal development, too.

From McDonald’s Customer Care Assistant to Franchisee -

Before joining McDonald’s, Joey Antwi-Kusi worked as a Management Consultant, leading complex change programmes for UK retail banks. His experience gave him strong business and leadership skills, but working as a Customer Care Assistant at McDonald’s sparked his entrepreneurial ambition. He was inspired by the brand’s culture of innovation, diversity, and community engagement, as well as its focus on creating memorable customer experiences. Thirteen years later, that passion led him to become a Franchisee, turning his long-term goal into a rewarding and successful career.

Before McDonald’s

I had a career as a Management Consultant, delivering complex change programmes for UK retail banks. 

My connection with McDonald’s

I love that McDonald’s has a rich culture of innovation, diversity, and community engagement , continually striving to deliver memorable experiences for customers worldwide.

What inspired me to become a McDonald’s Franchisee

While working as a Customer Care Assistant in a McDonald’s restaurant, an entrepreneurial passion was ignited in me. This sparked a relentless pursuit of success, culminating in becoming a Franchisee 13 years later.

Top insight

Thoroughly research and understand the brand's operational framework. This is a long-term commitment, and you want to be sure that the challenging yet rewarding life of a McDonald’s Franchisee is truly for you. 

McDonald’s was the right step to reinvigorate career -

Before joining McDonald’s, David Knight was a director and shareholder in a London-based marketing communications group with global clients. However, frequent travel made it difficult for David to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially after moving to Sutton Coldfield to be closer to family to support their young children. With experience working alongside major brands and private equity, he had many investment options, but McDonald’s stood out. David  was at a crossroads and wanted a new challenge. The franchise model, strong training, and opportunities for growth convinced him it was the right step to reinvigorate his career and achieve future ambitions.

Before McDonald’s

I was a director and shareholder for a group of marketing communication companies based in London, with offices and client operations around the world. We had young children and moved to Sutton Coldfield to have the support of our extended family. Spending a lot of time travelling made it difficult to find the right work-life balance.

My connection with McDonald’s

I’ve had the benefit of working closely with a wide range of corporates and global brands, along with experience of private equity. This gave me multiple obvious options when considering future investments. Someone suggested McDonald’s was looking for a different type of Franchisee to help move the brand forward.

What inspired me to become a McDonald’s Franchisee

I needed to change what I was doing in my life. I’d come to a kind of a crossroads. The more I learnt about the McDonald’s franchising model, the more I liked the opportunity and the more confident I grew about my transferable skillset and ability to make it a real success.

Top insight

The training and the process that you go through to become a Franchisee sets you up for success and puts you in a good place to really understand what you’re getting involved in. But what surprised me over the eight years I’ve been a Franchisee is just the amount of change and innovation you’ll encounter to evolve the customer experience. It helps you understand how resilient McDonald’s is.

My growth

I’m excited about what lies ahead in the next 20 years and about the prospects of how I can grow and develop my organisation. It’s allowed me to reinvigorate my career halfway through it and put me in a position to realise my future ambitions.