By Eleanor Wilson
When Gembrook’s Joy McLeod applied for a job at McDonald’s, she was looking for a chance to separate her role as a busy wife and mother of two.
That was November 1996, when a Big Mac set you back $2.50 – a third of today’s price.
More than 25 years later, the drive-thru crew member continues to deliver service with a smile at the Princes Highway fast food restaurant.
“I wanted to earn additional money, alongside gaining additional personal achievements, and felt a role at McDonald’s would help me achieve this,“ she said.
The hospitality champion originally applied for a maintenance position at the store in 1997, but the restaurant manager was eager for her to work in a customer facing role.
Joy worked as a customer experience crew member for several years before a personal knee injury saw her transition to a position in the drive-thru, to accommodate for her limited movement.
She said her favourite part of the job was seeing her regular customers who visit her.
“Some recall seeing me in the restaurant when they visited as children, and now they visit drive-thru as adults with children of their own,” she said.
“I enjoy talking to all the customers and meeting new people; I think I have a great relationship with our customers, treating them like friends.“
Pakenham McDonald’s general manager Scott Marshall said Joy was a valuable member of the team.
“She is warm, friendly and always brings a smile to customers’ faces,” Mr Marshall said.
“When Joy is not in, or is on her break, we have customers asking where she is.
“She has developed a relationship with customers over the years, memorising their orders so when they arrive in drive thru, she has already put through their order!”
He said long-standing employees like Joy play an important role in the many changes McDonald’s has experienced throughout its 52 year history in Australia.
“They are a wealth of knowledge for our junior crew members and provide great on-the-job training and coaching,” he said.
