From Maccas fry cook to multi-millionaire: How Peter Russo made his fortune

He thought he’d work at Maccas for a few months before starting an apprenticeship. Instead, he went from fry cook to owning six SA stores.

Peter Russo got his first job at aged 14 as a fry cook at the West Lakes McDonald’s to make some money before starting an apprenticeship.

Decades later he’s about to open his sixth McDonalds store in Pasadena, which is set to inject $7.2m into the local economy and create 250 jobs.

“I was going to be a diesel mechanic,” Mr Russo said.

“I thought I’ll work at Maccas for a few months while I line up an apprenticeship … I just never left.”

Mr Russo continued to get promoted until the opportunity to become a licensee presented itself when he was 28 years old.

“In life it’s timing and opportunity,” he said.

“It was that time when McDonalds was expanding, they were looking for licensees.”

Peter Russo began as a crew member at McDonalds and now is opening his sixth store at Pasadena. Photographed at West Richmond. Picture by Kelly Barnes

Mr Russo took advantage of an opportunity the company was offering at the time where licensees could pay a lower deposit in exchange for higher rent.

The 28-year-old had saved $150,000 in the 14 years he’d been working there and put all of it into opening the Melrose Park McDonalds in 1996.

“When you’re 28 years old … you just make sure that you’re trying to run the best business you can because you don’t want to lose your investment,” he said.

It would take 12 years for Mr Russo to own his second location at the Adelaide Myer Centre in 2008 and then a third location in 2009 on Hindley St.

In 2020 Mr Russo opened the West Richmond location and a year later Darlington.

“It’s surreal,” he said.

“My parents were working class, as far as they weren’t business people, they worked for wages,” he said.

“They were very supportive but they couldn’t offer a lot of advice because they weren’t in business.

“You’re signing big checks and borrowing lots of money but the brand gives me the confidence to invest, to employ and train new staff.”

Peter Russo began as a crew member at McDonalds and now he owns five franchises. Photographed at West Richmond. Picture by Kelly Barnes

“Back in the day it was Big Macs and fries and now it’s delivery,” Mr Russo said.

“The digital platforms that we are on, the drive thrus, are a huge part of our business.”

Mr Russo said Covid “accelerated” the concept of delivery in fast food saying it accounts for almost 20 per cent of his business.

Late last month Mr Russo’s Hindley St location was forced to install safety screens after a string of violent attacks on staff including one in December 2022, when a northern suburbs women, 19, was arrested.

McDonald’s Australia is set to start construction on the new Pasadena restaurant now with plans to open late July to early August.

“McDonald’s Pasadena is committed to playing an active role in the local community through providing jobs, training and development opportunities, as well as supporting local charities and groups that are important to our customers and people,” Mr Russo said.

“We look forward to serving up our great tasting, great quality menu once the restaurant opens later this year.”