1,300 golden opportunities

Franchisee cites need for better customer service

McDonald’s outlets in South Florida want to hire over 1,300 workers in the next month to help expansion and improve customer service.

McDonald’s, as part of a sweeping program to update its stores and services, has announced plans to hire more than 1,000 workers in South Florida over the next month.

That includes more than 400 jobs in Broward County, 420 in Palm Beach County; and 500 in Miami-Dade County.

The worldwide chain of fastfood franchises, which has about 900 locations in Florida, has been remodeling its stores to add drive-thru windows, digital self-order kiosks and table service.

“McDonald’s is in the midst of an expansive modernization,” said Brent Upchurch, part of a family business that owns and operates 30 franchises in Broward and Palm Beach counties. “If you go to a restaurant in South Florida, you will see changes or you soon will.”

Upchurch said even though some of the changes involve technology, the restaurant chain needs more workers behind the scenes to enable its mobile app and curbside delivery strategy. Better hospitality also is a part of the mission, including table service and “to interact with the customer. Do they need coffee refills?”

McDonald’s operators in the region are recruiting for crew members, shift managers, kitchen managers, guest service and other managers. Owner-operators set wages. Upchurch said his franchise pays entrylevel workers $8.20 an hour and offers them a week of paid vacation annually.

The hiring drive runs through June 17.

On June 7 and 8, there will be an in-store hiring event taking place at most restaurants across Florida. Those interested can visit a local McDonald’s to apply, or visit https://restaurantjobs.mcdonalds.com/.

The recruitment program is part of a broader effort to add 5,000 workers in Florida, McDonald’s said.

Peter Menendez Jr., who owns and operates 17 McDonald’s restaurants in Miami, said he and other franchise owners will strive to recruit and train more than 1,000 new workers over the next 30 days.

McDonald’s offers its workers benefits that include flexible work scheduling, high school

completion courses online, college tuition assistance, and classes in English-as-asecond-language.

In March, McDonald’s announced plans to enhance its digital capabilities and use technology to improve service. The company said it plans to speed delivery through its mobile app and curbside deliveries. The company also is experimenting with home and office deliveries, according to a McDonald’s press release.

In South Florida, owneroperators have been using UberEats to make deliveries.