New ownership at Tokoroa McDonald’s
Mel and Luke Nuttall are the proud new franchisees of the “friendliest McDonald’s in New Zealand”.
Tokoroa might be famous for producing international rugby players, but it’s also the home of New Zealand’s friendliest McDonald’s.
“Don’t just ask me—everyone in town will tell you that McDonald’s is known for having the friendliest staff, not just of any place in Tokoroa but of any McDonald’s in the country,” says new franchise owner Mel Nuttall.
The Tokoroa “Macca’s” has recently changed hands. Mel and husband Luke are settling down to their work lives in a town they describe as “absolutely amazing”.
“Words really can’t describe how happy we are to be here in Tokoroa. It really has exceeded all our expectations and we’ve been blown away by how welcoming everyone has been,” says Mel.
The Nuttalls had been living and working in Sydney when they decided they wanted to move home to New Zealand and own their own business. Mel comes from a background in marketing and project management and Luke has a background as an architect and project manager in the construction industry.
“We were at the stage in our careers where we wanted to try something new,” says Mel. “We had both worked hard in our professional careers and knew that we were people who were always going to continue to work hard, so why not work for ourselves instead?”
They looked at a lot of different options but only one stood out—McDonald’s.
“We were drawn to McDonald’s because it’s such a relatable, iconic brand and a successful business model,” says Mel. “Plus, everyone we dealt with right from day one was just so friendly and incredibly helpful, and that made our minds up for us.”
Mel and Luke soon committed to McDonald’s Registered Applicant Training Programme, which all potential franchisees undertake as part of their journey to becoming restaurant owners. “At every step of the way, we were 100 percent supported by McDonald’s and we learned so much and were just blown away by how other franchisees would go out of their way to help us and guide us,” says Luke.
After the programme came the good news: a franchise was available in Tokoroa and the Nuttalls were soon packing their bags for the Waikato region with sons Josh, 4, and Toby, 3.
“We are both originally from Christchurch so we knew a bit about Tokoroa, like how they had produced great All Blacks like Keven Mealamu, but what we didn’t know was just how friendly everyone is there,” says Luke.
The restaurant is one of the beating hearts of the business community, says Luke. “It’s where people come in the morning for a coffee and to read the papers, or where kids come after school
for a snack, and where families come for a nice meal.”
It’s also a store known for its staff, says Luke, and that’s something he and Mel are “keen to honour”. “We have some members of the crew who have worked here for 20 years or more; they know all the regular customers by name, and that makes us so proud and happy.”
franchisees, Mel and Luke say they look forward to hiring the next generation of locals.
“One thing we both love about McDonald’s is that a position with them creates so many amazing career opportunities,” says Mel. “You can get a diploma in hospitality, progress your way to head office, get all these great on-thejob skills, learn how to manage teams— the opportunities are endless. Our vision for the community here is that we want to be the place where people will come for their first job and that we will look after them and, if it’s what they want, help them climb up that career ladder.”
COMMUNITY EVENTS/CLUBS/ GROUPS
Tokoroa and Districts Aero Club: Meets first Thursday of each month at the Tokoroa Airfield.. All interested in aviation and learning to fly welcome. 7:30pm.
Tirau Women Craft & Hobby Group: Join women for fun, bringing whatever craft or hobby you’re working on or need help with. Tirau Community Church Hall 1st & 3rd Mondays 7pm-8.30pm approx. Gold coin donation
South Waikato Menzshed: Meets every Tuesday Thursday and
Friday at 82 Baird road Tokoroa. from 9 am.visit southwaikatomenzshedinc. website2.me E-Mail swmenzshedinc@gmail.com or leave us a message or text the shed phone 0274110403. April 20, 9am, South Waikato Menzshed, 82 Baird Road,
Tirau Senior Citziens: First Monday of every month. 1pm, Tirau War Memorial Hall, State Highway 1. Meeting followed by guest speaker and afternoon tea as well as trips away. A great place to meet people. Phone 07 886 9394.
Tokoroa Market on Chambers St: Saturdays 8am -12pm Ph:0226870019. Tokoroa Incorporated Club, 52 Chambers St, Tokoroa
South Waikato Embroiders
Guild: Meets second and fourth Tuesdays 10am-3pm at Anglican Church hall, Baberton St, Tokoroa. Learn to stich and make new friends, all welcome. Bring lunch, tea coffee provided. Phone secretary Anne Groos on 021 026 83015 or Pam Porter 07 8838992. Scottish Country Dancing: Every Thursday Night. Juniors 6.30-7.30pm. Adults 7.30-9.30pm. All Welcome. August 5, 6:30pm, Amisfield School Hall, Moffat Road, Tokoroa, Tokoroa
South Waikato Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists: Meetings held on the 3rd Thursday of the month,
1pm to 3pm. Saint Marks Community House, 81 Bridge St, Tokoroa. Contact Judith Gardiner on 021 801 507 or email southwaikato@genealogy.org.nz. South Waikato Stroke Support Group: Meets every second Tuesday, 1:30pm-3pm, Elim Church, Balmoral Drive, for entertainment. For more info contact Sue 8860986 or Irene 8869331.
Tirau Over 50s Club: Meets every Wednesday at 12.30pm in the Tirau Memorial Hall. Activities include indoor bowl, Rumikub and card games. All welcome. Contact Jean 078831513.
Putaruru Community Garden: If you want to help or need help to feed your family call in at the Putaruru Community Garden, 21 Grey St, Tuesdays 9am – 10am. Phone 883 8221.
How to list
To place a submission for the What’s On column visit www. neighbourly.co.nz/whats-on, choose the newspaper you want to list in and enter the event details. Listings must be no more than 30 words. Please note you will need to be a Neighbourly member to list. Please submit two weeks before your event. Low-cost/free events only. Inclusion is at editor’s discretion. We receive many submissions and cannot guarantee every entry will be included.
Aquafit: South Waikato indoor pools in Tokoroa. Low impact, hard workout, great for all ages and fitness levels. Mondays 6.30pm – 7.30pm, phone 885 0739.
Pilates Mat work Beginners: Strengthen the abdominals, improve posture, stabilise and elongate the spine, develop balance and overall strength. Mon and Thu 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Bring your own mat, contact Mario 0204-1088888. March 22, 5:30pm, Central Kids conference room, 6 Glenshea Street, Putaruru Putaruru 50 Plus Group: Meets every Tuesday, 1pm at the Plaza Theatre. Activities include 500 cards, indoor bowls, Rumikub, Scrabble. There are also twice yearly bus trips and dinners that are subsidised by the club. For more information contact Leo 07
883 8518
Putaruru Patchwork and Quilting Club:
Meetings held fortnightly on Mondays 7pm (Anne Cawte 07 8821315) and the second Thursday of the month 9.30am (Dorothy Moore 07 8837228). All meetings held at the Rangiura Rest Home Hall.
Putaruru Street Market: Every third Sunday of the month, 9am to midday, Princes St. All welcome. $5 per stall, bring your own table. Enquires 883 1573.
Putaruru, Tokoroa & Districts Herb Society: Meets first Sunday of every month starting 1pm at St Marks Hall, Bridge St, Tokoroa. Guest speaker, workshops and herbal afternoon tea. For more information contact: 886 5557, 027 772 5557 or email: tokherb@gmail. com. All welcome.
Putaruru Toy Library: Children’s education at home. Tuesdays 9am11am, Fridays, 12pm – 2pm. Princes St opposite Bunnings. Phone Judith 027 350 6093 for more information.
Putaturu Woodcrafters Club:
Meets every Wednesday 10am~2pm and Tuesday 6.30~8.30pm on the Timber Museum site.Contact (Geoff) addison.family@xtra.co.nz, for directions and more information. Tools and lathes available for beginners along with expert tuition. June 30, 6:30pm, Timber Museum, Main Road, Putaruru
Putaruru Fibre Crafters: Meet
Wednesdays from 10am-12 noon at the Baptist Church Hall on Arapuni St. Everything fibre – spinning, knitting, crochet, felting, weaving. Or, if you would like to come and have a cuppa and chat with a friendly group, feel free.
Quiz night: Putaruru Hotel Quiz Night, Thursdays, 7-9pm, free. Rotary Putaruru: Meets twice a month on a Thursday and welcomes new people who are keen to help in making a difference in our community. Contact Judith Bennett on 027 285 4915.
Tokoroa Senior Citizens 50 plus: Meets Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday. Activities include indoor bowls, Rummy cup, 500. A social group of ladies meet, talk, knit and crafts, Canasta, bus trips and Housie. For information contact Lynne 07 886 0813. Putaruru Friendship Club: (formerly Probus) meets monthly, on the second Wednesday at 10am in the Gospel Chapel, Kensington St, Putaruru. Variety of speakers and occasional outings. Morning tea available at $3. Phone Vicki Shaw 07 883 8086.
Taoist Tai Chi: Cultivate balance. Take control of your health and build resilience. Sessions in Tokoroa, Putaruru and Arapuni. Enquiries to waikato@taoist.org Phone Jan 027 640 6572 or Cath 021 087 13773 All welcome.