Andergrove McDonald’s opens its doors for the first time
Mark Diacono was 18 and looking for work when he first arrived in Mackay from the Philippines almost 15 years ago. Now he’s helping his former boss open her fifth McDonald’s.
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It was almost 15 years ago when Mark Diacono first walked into East Mackay McDonald’s, chaperoning his younger siblings for a job interview.
His family had only recently moved to Australia from the Philippines and were in the process of settling into their new home in Mackay.
Back in their hometown, Mr Diacono said his family had run a small business, but finding work in Australia was a different matter.
“I was looking for a job too because, coming from the Philippines, we have different qualifications,” Mr Diacono said.
Mr Diacono took his siblings for a job interview at East Mackay McDonalds with then supervisor Niki Ramsay.
“And they saw me as well, and they asked ‘oh does your brother want a job?,” Mr Diacono said remembering.
“And I was already in the land of milk and honey so I thought I might as well.”
“But, really, Niki gave me my first opportunity ever in Australia.”
After six months, Mr Diacono became a manager and continued working for Ms Ramsay for another two years before he took a break to work in the mines.
But, after a few years, he decided he wanted to study at university and approached Ms Ramsay to see if she could accommodate his schedule.
Mr Diacono said Niki was quick to offer another position and he was proud to be working with her again.
“Working at McDonalds you have targets and you have goals, and you get to feel rewarded and fulfilled,” he said.
“We’re just lucky to be part of the legacy and the family,” Mr Diacono said.
“Niki really makes sure we can come to work happy.”
Mr Diacono helped to open Ms Ramsay’s newest McDonald’s in the region, near the new Andergrove Coles.
The store will be the business woman’s fifth in the region and it is already drawing a huge crowd.
Triple M’s Jay Shipton and Dave Peters were spotted testing out the new hub.
“It’s something that Andergrove needs, and it shows that Andergrove is expanding which is great, because it was left alone for a while,” Mr Shipton said.
Mr Peters agreed, saying he was eager to try out the new store’s Big Mac.
The Andergrove McDonald’s restaurant opened for the first time at 5am on Friday April 22, 2022.
It is the newest outlet in licensee Niki Ramsay’s chain, and boasts the latest restaurant design and decor.
Ms Ramsay said the restaurant would open at 6am Friday, but its usual trading hours would be 5am – 11pm.
“It is a great opportunity to employ another 120 workers,” she said.
“We already have 500 employees. It’s great youth and senior employment, and we’re currently still looking for staff to cover all day parts.”
The grand opening was almost a year after Mackay Regional Council approved it with a few tweaks to its original plan.
The initial application was for a 24/7 service.
It will be Mackay businesswoman Niki Ramsay’s fifth store in the region and will employ about 120 new staff, bringing her total tally of employees to 500.
“The new restaurant will employ people of all ages and experience levels through a variety of crew, barista, management and maintenance roles,” Ms Ramsay said.
“I’m Mackay born and bred, and I love working in the area I grew up in, supporting other families and the community.”
The store, next door to the new Andergrove Coles on Oak St, will feature a McCafe, dual lane drive-through and a PlayPlace for children.
The play area will have five levels, be fully enclosed and airconditioned.
McDonalds Andergrove is expected to inject more than $5m into the economy.
Ms Ramsay said the new store would contribute more funds back into the community, not just through sporting clubs but also schools and other programs.
Anyone interested in working at the restaurant is encouraged to go into the store or apply online at mcdonalds.com.au
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Originally published as Andergrove McDonald’s opens its doors for the first time
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