Everyone knows someone who has worked at McDonald’s, even if you haven’t. You probably know a lot of famous people who worked for the fast food restaurant, even if you don’t know anyone who worked there.
The career paths of many have been influenced by the Golden Arches, from Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby to Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris (who claims to have worked the fry station).
The fast food giant is starting a new initiative to thank its long-time employees with a series of special events, the first of which is a pop-up in Chicago featuring an A-list cast.
One in eight Americans have worked at a McDonald’s restaurant, according to the fast food giant. To celebrate this, the “1 in 8” group, sometimes called the Crew, has its own website where members can get to know each other better.
In addition to fostering a sense of belonging among its vast alumni, the international fast food franchise is actively seeking ways to support its Crew. With today’s introduction of Employees Only, these efforts are stepping up.
This program will bring together former McDonald’s employees, allowing them to take advantage of networking and mentorship opportunities, as well as hear from noteworthy alumni.
Obviously, “Employees Only” is a play on words referring to the glass doors that separate the dining area from the kitchen and other areas where employees are hard at work.
The inaugural installment of the Employees Only series will take place at a pop-up in Chicago on September 24th; therefore, the event will take place in the hometown of the fast food company.
Among the notable “1 in 8ers” (as McDonald’s calls them) who will be making appearances at the program’s premiere is comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member Chris Redd, whose stand-up routine will revolve upon his time working at McDonald’s. 2019 Wine & Food During his cooking demonstration, Best New Chef Kwame Onwuachi will “put his signature Afro-Caribbean twist on McDonald’s barbecue and buffalo sauces.”
The James Beard Award–winning chef will discuss his meteoric rise to fame and the invaluable lessons he learnt while working in the McDonald’s kitchen.
Onwuachi and Redd will be part of a “Fryside Chat” panel alongside actress and TV broadcaster Clarissa Molina. The three alums will share their experiences working at McDonald’s, take questions from the audience, and discuss the significance of being a part of the 1 in 8 group.
At the Chicago launch, other members of the Crew can hear from their famous colleagues, get their heads photographed by pros, see an exhibit on the history of uniforms, and get their hands on some exclusive merchandise.
Above all else, McDonald’s wishes that this event, along with the remainder of the Employees Only series, will reflect the strong sense of camaraderie that the company has noticed among the Crew.
The 1 in 8 employees have expressed a feeling of pride in being part of this elite club and the shared experience that working at McDonald’s gives, according to Alma Anguiano, McDonald’s U.S. National Field People Officer.
Uniting people with a similar background in the fast food profession is something I wholeheartedly support, as I enjoy McDonald’s french fries and anything that entails connecting over a meal. San Diego, Washington, DC, and other cities throughout the country will be part of the ongoing rollout of Employees Only in the coming months.