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Beneath golden arches,a family success story MILLERS' McDONALD'S LOCATIONS

November 1, 2007 12:36 am

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.

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.

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.

That's when he contacted his father about starting his own McDonald's career.

Miller, now 30, worked his way up the ranks and in 2006 bought two of his father's restaurants--the one at Aquia and another inside the Garrisonville Wal-Mart.

In September, Eric Miller and Christian Miller, who live in North Stafford, were given a regional leadership award in recognition of their commitment to the employees of their seven restaurants.

All employees start above minimum wage and can participate in a health plan.

The Millers also hold two employee get-togethers each year--a picnic and a Christmas party. For this summer's event, they offered a car giveaway.

Top managers and their families have also been treated to a weeklong Caribbean cruise the past two years.

"My thinking is, if people are feeling good, do something even more to wow them," Eric Miller said.

Taking care of their employees is a matter of sharing their blessings and making McDonald's a great place to work, the men said. Doing that helps the crews focus on what Eric Miller learned long ago are the four keys to McDonald's success: service, quality, cleanliness and value.

At 56, Eric Miller hasn't lost his enthusiasm for the company or its product.

When he and his wife travel, they always stop for a McDonald's meal and check how other restaurants measure up.

His favorite sandwich is the Big Mac, and he'll offer all the reasons why, sounding like the burger chain's old jingle.

He's keen on the two all-beef patties, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions and sesame-seed bun, but says it's the sauce that makes it special.