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Beneath golden arches,a family success story MILLERS' McDONALD'S LOCATIONS
Father and son McDonald's owners are an award-winning pair
Date published: 11/1/2007
By PAMELA GOULD
Eric Miller would make a great Ronald McDonald.
He's got the welcoming smile, the enthusiasm for the fast-food chain and a passion for people.
But instead of oversized shoes and a bright red nose, Miller has stuck with the traditional uniform or corporate attire in his McDonald's career.
Miller's McDonald's story began at age 15 when he was hired to pour drinks at a restaurant in West St. Paul, Minn.
His aim was to earn gas money for his moped. Instead, he got hooked and made the fast-food business his career.
"From 16 on, I was a manager," Miller said.
He went on to work for the corporate side of the business for about 30 years, moving around the country as he moved up the ladder.
Then, in 1992, he decided it was time for a career change:
"I said I've got to own a couple of my own."
Today, more than four decades after he donned a black tie and white shirt to wait on his first customer, Miller owns five McDonald's restaurants in the Fredericksburg area.
Switching careers
When people think of McDonald's, they may think of many things, but career is rarely the first.
Miller wants to change that.
He had planned a legal career and was working his way through college as a shift manager for McDonald's when he realized he had a passion for what he already was doing.
His restaurant owner wanted him to be sure of his decision, so he sent him to a career counselor for testing. When the results showed an aptitude for law, accounting and management, he went with the new plan.
He finished his associate degree and became a manager trainee for the corporate side of the now-global company.
He soon became a restaurant general manager and then entered middle management. Before he finished his corporate career, he was responsible for more than 300 corporate-owned restaurants--the job that brought him to the Washington area.
The family business
Christian Miller first worked at the Aquia Towne Center McDonald's in high school to get some time with his dad, the restaurant's owner.
He then worked for an auto parts store, gaining management experience before heading off to college.
When the time came to find a way to support a wife and infant daughter, he was looking for something that provided stability and benefits.
| Aquia Towne Center
Inside Garrisonville Wal-Mart
Courthouse Road in Stafford
College--near the University of Mary Washington
Ferry Farm
Southpoint at Massaponax
Plank Road east of I-95
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Date published: 11/1/2007
Most recent reader comments:
LOVE the Aquia McD's!!!!!
(posted by
mizzwilliams33
, Nov. 1, 2007 2:12 pm)
I stop through the Aquia McDonald's every morning on my way to work for breakfast, and although it used to be because I was addicted to their sweet tea, it was really because the early morning gang there is SO WONDERFUL. Always with smiles and pleasant greetings and 100% accuracy in my orders. In the rare event that there's an error, I don't even care because they are so nice to see each morning when I'm starting my commute to work. Keep up the great job Aquia!!!!
Southpoint McDonald's
(posted by
pudpop2
, Nov. 1, 2007 12:33 pm)
I don't believe there is any other McDonalds the service is exceptional. the people go out of their way for you. Always a smile and gets the order right. The one time I did get a wrong hamberger I got the meal free. VERY NICE nice but not expected. Customer service and satifaction is their number one goal and it shows. I am a loyal customer and will go out of my way everytime to go to that McDonalds! Keep up the good work.
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