Annemaree Petts brings family values to Mackay McDonald’s on Grandparents Day

After 15 years helping build the McDonald’s empire in Mackay, this passionate businesswoman is ready to leave her legacy with her co-workers... who happen to be her grandkids.

A Mackay grandmother will be celebrating Grandparents Day on October 30 with her co-workers – who happen to be her grandchildren.

Annemaree Petts started at McDonald’s East Mackay 15 years ago and has since worked her way up to People Manager for the city’s six franchises.

Her granddaughters Maddy and Taylor Myles followed her example, both getting their first jobs with the fast-food giant after turning 14.

“They’ve been helping since they were tiny,” Ms Petts said.

“Like everybody else, they had to go through the whole system (to) apply and interview.

Maddy Myles, Annemaree Petts, and Taylor Myles are family who all work together at Mackay’s McDonalds franchises. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“We’ve got memories lots of people wouldn’t get to have.

“I don’t know if there’d be many stores where grandparents and kids are all working together.”

When training new recruits Ms Petts said “you treat all the kids like your grandkids”.

Seeing her own family members develop new skills and confidence was a special treat.

Now 18, Maddy said she “really enjoyed” spending more time with her grandmother while also learning life and work skills.

Annemaree Petts started at McDonalds as a crew person 15 years ago. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“I had a lot of her guidance to help me and get settled properly,” Maddy said.

“Eventually I branched out on my own (and) stepped up to management at North (Mackay).

“It’s a really good working environment, I love all the people there.”

Taylor and Maddy Myles of Bucasia both started their first jobs at McDonalds. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Built 25 years ago as the very first McDonald’s in Mackay, Norths is now the city’s busiest franchise.

Saturday will be Taylor’s first time working in the McCafe and Maddy will travel to Brisbane for a company leadership course in November.

They are the latest achievements for the girls whose McDonald’s journey harks back to their childhood helping raise money for a good cause.

On November 19, McHappy Days support seriously ill kids and their families through Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Annemaree Petts with her grandkids at a McHappy Day event in November, 2011. Photo: Contributed

Ms Petts said her granddaughters had not missed a McHappy Day since their first.

Maddy was only a baby when the family moved to Mackay from Bowral in 2006 and has fond memories of raising money “with a little bucket outside the East Mackay drive-through”.

Having raised around $15,000 in 2021, Ms Petts said she was excited to pass the McHappy Day fundraising baton to a new generation.

Annemaree Petts started at McDonalds as a crew person 15 years ago. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“I’ve done McHappy Day every year since I started, but this year (these) guys take over and put their stamp on it”, she said.

“They’ve got newer, fresher ideas.”

Ms Petts’s years of fundraising have supported a new Ronald McDonald Family Room near Mackay Base Hospital.

“This is the first one (and) it’s good for Mackay”, she said.

“We should all be proud of raising money for sick children.”

Originally published as Annemaree Petts brings family values to Mackay McDonald’s on Grandparents Day