When did you start working in McDonald’s?
It’s hard to believe but it will be 22 years ago in June.
How did you come to work at McDonald’s?
When I was 16, I wanted a part time job for the summer and my cousin who worked as a manager in the McDonald’s Shop Street restaurant mentioned they were looking for people. I started out on the tills and kept working there on a part time basis while studying Business and Marketing at GMIT for three years, during which time I was promoted to Floor Manager.
When I finished college, I started working full time, working up through the ranks to Shift Manager, Assistant Manager, Business Manager and then to my current role as General Manager. I always knew I wanted to work in business but I didn’t expect that I would end up managing over 200 employees across three restaurants in Shop Street, Westside, and Headford Road.
Describe your typical day
I’m responsible for the day to day operations across three restaurants, which involves keeping in close contact with staff, monitoring sales, managing any issues that arise with equipment or stock and making sure our team is prepared for the day ahead. We have a long term strategy that we plan for and work towards.
Best bit of the job
Definitely, the people. I’m lucky to have a great team of people to work with from different counties and all walks of life. We work hard to create a nice working environment that motivates staff. I also like getting to know the regular customers who you know by name. You’d nearly have their order ready when you see them coming in the door.
What has surprised you most about working with McDonald’s?
The internal opportunities for training and career development. As well as McDonald’s Managers Courses, I also got the opportunity to complete a BA in Management Practices with NCI through McDonald’s. I completed this in 2014 after two years of study and am proud to have raised a family while working and studying at the same time.
What three attributes do you value most in other people?
Honesty, a good sense of humour and loyalty.
How do you like to spend your days off?
Spending time with my husband, Aidan and our sons, Darragh (12 ) and Sam (2 ).
