Parker: Trenton McDonald’s owners talk community
The five-second rule states that food dropped on the ground will not be significantly contaminated with bacteria if it is picked up within several seconds.
Of course, scientists and researchers have debunked the idea but if the five-second rule were true then a citybased McDonald’s owned by Rosa and Fred Rosado could employ a 10-second rule or perhaps even a 15-second expenditure of time.
Drive by, through or walk into the McDonald’s franchise located at the intersection of Chambers St. and Hamilton Ave. and the first thing that catches your eye is the cleanliness.
While Trenton battles a serious garbage issue that extends to local businesses’ inability to deliver pristine premises and a city’s unwillingness to enforce rules and regulations regarding trash, this McDonald’s stands as a blueprint for success.
Catching up with Rosa and Fred Rosado proves challenging as the Trentonborn residents contribute time toward other myriad city initiatives.
It’s a Friday morning and the Rosados leave their behind-the-counter chores for an eight-minute conversation about who they are and why their McDonald’s outshines most other city-based businesses.
Their answer seems incredibly simplistic but noteworthy as Trenton hopes to write an impressive new chapter with an election of a new mayor and potentially four more new city council members. Rosa Rosado delivered an old-school response.
“It’s about pride,” she offered. “We’re very proud to bring the brand, bring what we know to our hometown. Great service, food and cleanliness, they’re priorities for us. And to do this in our home city? Well, it just gives us a feeling that I can’t really explain.”
“This is not only our business but this is our home,” Fred Rosado offered. Fred graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1979.
“So, to build and operate a McDonald’s right across from my high school is a tremendous opportunity. It’s all about pride, all about being part of the community. You know, we operated six (Philadelphia-based) McDonald’s at one time but we were more than happy to trade in those business ventures to be part of Trenton’s future.”
Rosa Rosado graduated from nearby Notre Dame High School in Lawrence. The Rosados were both born in nearby St. Francis Medical Center, literally yards away from their business. Their achievements tether education, family, community and hard work. And pride.
In fact, a running joke with the Rosados involves their desire to deliver a clean business. Both business owners regularly grab a broom and dust pan. Fred Rosado frequently sweeps parts of Chambers St. while his wife of almost 35 years ventures up Hamilton Ave.
Friends joke that one day the Rosados might sweep their way toward the other side of town. The Rosados laughed but they know that appearances matter.
“We consider our McDonald’s just like our home. We want people to feel comfortable when they walk into our restaurant and we definitely want them to enjoy a clean dining experience. Plus, our employees, many of them young people who use this job as a stepping stone toward greater life success, know that how they look, speak and act matters,” Rosa Rosado said.
Many student employees move onto college and a couple of former workers joined the U.S. Armed Forces and enjoyed an amazing sendoff a couple of years ago.
This is where the Rosados get exposed as amazing philanthropists. It’s Christmas 2017 and a 100 block of Franklin St. project sought to provide every child with a toy or some other gift.
Christine’s Hope For Kids helped with an variety of gift bags while the Rosados joined the giveaway.
“You know, some of my business partners and friends collected a whole bunch of toys,” Fred Rosado said. He and Rosa walked Laura Mora, a community activist, and myself across the street to one of their other properties. We stepped into a room jampacked with toys.
“Take whatever you need,” the Rosados said. “We’re more than overjoyed to help out. We have so much through the grace of God. Being able to give and support others makes us happy.”
The Rosados make donations of food, toys and time to a local community and city as they impact the lives of many. Need a tray of cookies? Call Fred and Rosa. Need coffee? Need toys? Need someone just to stand next to you for support? Call the Rosados.
Many businesses move into Trenton but not enough understand that while their main objective may be a bottom-line figure, they have a responsibility to be part of the community.
The Rosados broke ground on their McDonald’s in September 2015 and they have been exemplary business owners and community supporters since then. A three-year anniversary will find their McDonald’s as clean as the day it opened.
“We love being here,” Fred Rosado said. “Out of all the other McDonalds we’ve owned or operated, this one is our best. This one makes us the happiest and we intend to help support our neighbors and this city.”
Rosa Rosado ended the conversation as Fred headed off to pick up their daughter from school.
“Being clean is no great mystery. It’s just a way of life,” she said. “And success? It’s always the same formula. You roll up your sleeves and get busy. People who work hard usually succeed. We’re proud people who want personal success but we also have a great hope that others succeed, too.”