Former and current McDonald’s employees are getting the ultimate Happy Meal.
According to the fast-food chain, 1 in 8 Americans have worked at one of its stores, a statistic that McDonald’s turned into a club of its own, the “1 in 8” club (aka the Crew), with a website for members to officially connect with each other.
Now, the Golden Arches is starting a series of exclusive events for past and present crew members.
The events, which kicked off with a pop-up in Chicago on Tuesday, Employees Only is a first-of-its-kind event series celebrating their employees.
“We’ve heard from members of the 1 in 8 that they feel a sense of pride in being part of this exclusive club and the shared experience a job at McDonald’s brings,” Alma Anguiano, U.S. National Field People Officer at McDonald’s and 1 in 8er, said in a statement.
“Employees Only is just one example of our ongoing commitment to connect past and present Crew members, provide them with exclusive opportunities like mentorships with notable alumni who’ve gone on to make an impact in the world, and so much more.”
The event featured a star-studded lineup of former McDonald’s employees who spoke at a “Fryside Chat” panel, a Q&A session with attendees, about their career journeys, what it means to be part of the 1 in 8 and how working at McDonald’s played an role in their success.
Comedian and “Saturday Night Live” alum Chris Redd spoke on how his two stints at McDonald’s gave him the drive and work ethic for his comedy career. He even performed a stand-up set inspired by his time as a Golden Arches crew member.
“Nowadays, people are surprised to hear that one of my first jobs was at McDonald’s,” Redd, 39, said. “When I look back on those times, I remember McDonald’s always had my back. Once I stepped through those Employees Only doors, I learned what it means to put real work ethic to practice, which is a must if you want to survive as a comedian – or really in any profession.”
James Beard award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi was also in attendance and discussed how the skills he gained from working at McDonald’s – including running a kitchen – helped set his culinary stardom into motion.
Actress, TV host and Emmy Award winner Clarissa Molina spoke about how her time at McDonald’s helped prepare her to become Miss Dominican Republic 2015, place Top 6 in Miss Universe and win Nuestra Belleza Latina VIP in 2017.
In addition to hearing from notable members of the 1 in 8, attendees had the opportunity to get professional headshots, tour a historic uniform exhibit showcasing crew apparel over the years, participate in a friendly skills challenge and get limited-edition swag at an exclusive merch station.
The title, Employees Only, is a nod to the doors you see in McDonald’s locations — or any restaurant — marking behind-the-scenes territory off limits to customers.
“What happens behind these doors is so much more than you might imagine – it’s a unique shared experience that unlocks vital skills and opportunities to harness endless career possibilities,” McDonald’s shared in a press release.
A survey from the chain found that more than 70% of past and present crew members claimed that McDonald’s is where they learned key skills — such as communication, collaboration, dependability and leadership — and nearly half said their job at the Golden Arches created opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
The Employees Only series will continue to roll out in more cities across the country over the next several months, including Washington D.C. and San Diego.
