Joan Elhoffer's Journey from McDonald’s Crew to Community Leader

Her advice for future McDonald's restaurant owners? "If you want to get in this, think really long and hard, get behind the counter and learn the business first," she said. "Get in there, work side by side, learn every position and really learn how to develop your people because that's your saving grace."

Now, with one of her daughters joining the family business, Joan's story has come full circle. Since she was just 16 years old, her career has been grounded in strong values, driven by people, and guided by the belief that McDonald's is more than just a restaurant; it is a place where memories are made, futures are shaped, and rounding up can help change lives.

As Joan puts it: "To me, it's really about staying committed to doing the right thing, leading by example, and supporting the community every step of the way."