Push to save popular McDonald’s operater surges on despite deadline
A popular McDonald’s operator with a focus on employing mums and charity is being flooded by gratitude from the community as he is forced out of his Brisbane store. But he says he will fight till the end as his plight to save his staff enters its eleventh hour.
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A McDonald’s operator being forced out of his Brisbane store says he will fight until the end as his plight to save his staff enters its eleventh hour.
Rod Chiapello has held the licence for McDonald’s Bracken Ridge in Brisbane’s north for more than 20 years, however a push from the company means it will expire September 30, and not be renewed.
The long time franchisee says he was served with a notice from McDonald’s citing
“extremely poor owner operator review history”.
“We find (this) offensive,” he said.
Mr Chiapello is known for his contribution to local community groups and charity — recently giving away bread and milk to locals facing the COVID-19 pandemic — as well as for employing a range of staff including mothers, university students and first-time workers.
Part of the drive to keep the store open — which has included a petition signed by almost 16,000 people — is to ensure those 120 staff retain their employment and current working conditions.
A statement from McDonalds says jobs would be retained but did not reveal to what capacity.
“McDonald’s Australia has confirmed all jobs at its Bracken Ridge restaurant remain secure, as it prepares for a change of restaurant ownership,” they said.
“The Bracken Ridge Macca’s will continue to operate and maintain its important role within the local community as both a major employer and provider of quality menu items.
“The continued employment of all current crew and managers has always been a condition of any sale or transfer of the restaurant to a new operator.
“Operator Rod Chiapello has been a part of the McDonald’s Australia system for more than 20 years and we want to thank him for his contributions to the business and his community.
“Our priority is to ensure the handover is as seamless as possible for our people and our customers. Rest assured it will be business-as-usual for the Bracken Ridge team.”
A Facebook page for the store has reflected Mr Chiapello’s ongoing efforts to retain the store despite there being just days before the McDonalds corporation is due to take over ahead of a new licensee.
“We find the glib comment, ‘we will work with you (Rod) to give you a dignified exit from the system’, or to words of such effect, a little presumptuous and offensive,” the Facebook page said.
“We want to be re written immediately please.
“We want our hard earned reputation restored please and finally we want simply to be able to continue to serve and take special care of our team, our customers, our community and our local supply chain and contractors.
“Now more than ever we have been encouraged to support small business, to buy local, to protect jobs and to look for innovative ways to support each other and the communities within which we work and play.
“We are a strong advocate for work opportunities for mums and career development and mentoring for young people who get to learn the value of giving back as good global citizens.
“We continue to express our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to you all. We remain ever so grateful.”
As the September 30 date approaches the store has been flooded with appreciation cards from customers, including 151 thank you cards from Norris Road State School teachers, parents and staff.