What My Son and I Learned from McDonald’s About Marketing

At the age of 15, I was already working at a McDonald’s restaurant to help in making ends meet for my College education. But it only took me less than 3 months to stay. Why? Maybe I really hate having a BOSS.

But my son Ruiz took a part-time “job” at McDonald’s in a kids workshop where they stay at a McDonald’s branch to learn how to serve customers, build their self-esteem, and apply CAYG and FIFO (more on that later), and a lot more…

First day at “work” — Ruiz is NOT motivated. (Not really, he just loves to make faces. He’s the one who was eager to hop into the McJob.)

McDonald’s says this about working for them:

“McDonald’s is one of the best-known brands in the world – and as soon as you put on your McDonald’s uniform and name badge, you’re responsible for representing the brand to the hundreds of customers visiting our restaurants every day.”

Well, I agree. While I was working at McDonald’s myself, I learned…

Always Be On Time

We can’t stress enough how important this is. Why? Because being late for your shift puts unfair pressure on your team mates and that means that our customers might not get the service they expect. So you need to be sure you can be right on time for all of your rostered shifts.

Look Good

At McDonald’s appearance counts. This means a neat, clean and wrinkle-free uniform, plus good personal grooming. Feeling smart gives you confidence too. For more info check out the Employee Handbook.

See my son Ruiz below:

Team Talk

Whatever you do at McDonald’s will involve being part of a team. You don’t have to be the loudest or the smartest. You just need to do your job the best you can, be ready to help out your fellow Crew (especially when it’s busy) and communicate clearly.

Attitude Check

Being polite, friendly and respectful with both customers and your team mates is a top priority. It helps create the McDonald’s experience that everyone enjoys. It’s also what makes McDonald’s a great place to work!

Great attitude whenever there’s a camera even if it’s time to work?

Squeaky Clean

Cleanliness is very important at McDonald’s. So you’ll find we’re committed to our Clean As You Go (CAYG) and strict hygiene policies. Everyone has their role to play in keeping our restaurants and their surroundings squeaky clean.

See Ruiz cleaning the tables:

OK. I won’t bore you telling you how great McDonald’s is. For me, just some parts of working with McDonald’s are OK. Instead, just download the employee PDF handbook here and see for yourself.

Anyway, I let Ruiz join McDonald’s so that he can learn some things that he can apply in business when he grows up…

I also told him to watch out for his competition…

And all work and no play makes him a dull boy…

Most important thing, ALWAYS STAY HAPPY.

Oh, before I forget, as mentioned above, CAYG means “clean as you go” and FIFO means “first in, first out” …

Another thing…

Ruiz now pays for whatever toy he wants to buy…

How?

We brainstormed for a solution… click here!

Comments

Category : BLOG Tags:Marketing, McDonald's
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15 Comments → “What My Son and I Learned from McDonald’s About Marketing”

Sudarmaji Lamiran

1 year ago

happy birthday kid!
soon enough you’ll be
the youngest and richest marketer of the world
and beat your papa at his own game!

do not eat candy too much!

Regards
Sud.L

p.s.:
Ian, can he spell in-ter-net-mar-ket-ing?

Reply
- Ian del Carmen
  
  1 year ago
  
  He sure can, man! And he’s interested in this business. Thanks for the greeting, he read it…
  
  Reply
Victor

1 year ago

You sure did a good job, Ian. I bet your kid can make his first million before he reaches 20~ By the way, Happy Birthday to you Ruiz!~

p.s – I’m grabbing the birthday offer:)

Reply
- Ian del Carmen
  
  1 year ago
  
  Thanks Victor! I appreciate this.
  
  Reply
John

1 year ago

Hey Ian,
Happy birthday to Ruiz! Cool looking snake in the background of that top pic.. what is it? I used to catch snakes in south Texas when I was his age, but nothing that big. Mine were garters mostly, but it was fun.
Cheers

Reply
- Ian del Carmen
  
  1 year ago
  
  Haha! Thanks John!
  
  Reply
KiTT

1 year ago

I’m now motivated to train my young daughter to become an entrepreneur as early as possible. Hopefully much, much earlier than her dad did. Happy Birthday to Ruiz!

Reply
- Ian del Carmen
  
  1 year ago
  
  You should, Kit! You should.
  
  Reply
Alessandro Zamboni

1 year ago

First let me say “Happy Birthday Ruiz !”.
Your son, Ian, is lucky enought to have a master like you as a dad
He will become a big entrepreneur and soon we will see him rule all over the web, I’m sure !

Take your time to grow up Ruiz, you will be a winner.
Ian instead is a great IM and a greates daddy for you.

See you,
Alessandro Zamboni

Reply
Karen

1 year ago

Ruiz MADE me buy this package–he’s so cute!!!

~Karen

Reply
Hakeem

1 year ago

Happy birhday little guy. God bless You.

Reply
Reeder

1 year ago

Ian, excellent mentoring towards your son at his age, he will be the next “Bill Gates” of IM, i can see it now, Happy Birthday little man, and nice tattoo on the forearm Ian , military?

Reply
marna

1 year ago

I’m a McDonald’s franchisee, and your son should strive to become an owner/operator! It’s an honor to actually own one.

Reply
Roberto Magnaye

1 year ago

Happy birthday Ruiz, God bless you.

Reply
Ian del Carmen

1 year ago

Thank you everyone!

Reply