Congratulations to Joan Halsted, the manager of the Oxford McDonald’s, for winning her second Ray Kroc award in January.
Halsted, of Lapeer, has managed the McDonald’s at 280 N. Washington St. for the last 25 years, but has been an employee of fast food restaurant chain for almost 32 years.
Halsted began working at a McDonald’s in Pontiac when she was 16 years old so she could get money to buy the clothes she wanted.
She even trained under the late Lillian McMahon, a long-time personal secretary to McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc.
‘I never dreamed I’d just keep doing it,? she said.
The Ray Kroc Award was established in 1999 and honors the top one percent of managers in the United States who create a hospitable environment for customers and employees, reduce turnover and achieve accuracy in orders.
They are also scored all year long by mystery shoppers, the number of sales transactions and nominations from peers.
For 2005, Halsted said the Oxford McDonald’s averaged 95 points for their basic procedures and customer service. They averaged 97.4 points for mystery shoppers.
Out of the six other managers from Michigan who received the award, Halsted was the only one who was nominated and won twice.
‘I was quite shocked,? she said. ‘Winning in 2000 was the coolest thing I ever had happen to me. I never dreamed it would happen twice.?
The Ray Kroc Award, which Halsted compares to ‘winning a Grammy,? is an etched-glass trophy. She also will receive a $2,500 cash prize, a pin and will attend an awards banquet in Chicago with other honorees.
‘They wine and dine you for three days at this fancy hotel,? she said excitedly. ‘Each person even gets their own limo.?
It’s no wonder Halsted won this prestigious award. She manages about 60 employees, most of which are teenagers, and stresses the importance of teamwork and flexibility.
‘When you work with a lot of teenagers you have to be flexible because nowadays, unless you work around their sports, band and academics, you won’t have employees,? she said.
Halsted also offers incentives to her employees, like winning movie passes or candy bars for showing enthusiasm and for meeting their target goal of 100 cars per hour through the drive-thru.
‘It adds a little spice to it,? she said.
Halsted would like to thank Jack McMahon, the owner of the Oxford restaurant, and her ‘wonderful? staff for their support.