Summary
A Gloucestershire business is celebrating 10 years since it started running its first McDonald’s restaurant. Today (September 18) marks a decade since franchisees Paul and Amanda Toner’s company, Incito Group Holdings , took over the Westgate Street branch in Gloucester.
Details
In an exclusive interview with Punchline-Gloucester.com, Amanda Toner, inspiration officer at Incito , said: “We’ve got balloons and a balloon arch, and we’ve got cupcakes and pictures of some of the fundraising we’ve done over the years, some of the makeovers that we’ve done and the charities we’ve got involved with.
“The last 10 years have been a pleasure and so much fun.” Before taking over Westgate Street, Paul, a former recruitment consultant, spent six months going through the application process and another nine months training.
Ten years on, the group runs eight restaurants in Gloucestershire – four more in Gloucester at St Oswalds, Northbrook Road, Bristol Road and Hardwicke; Kingsditch and High Street in Cheltenham; and Stroud town centre. The company has a turnover of £44m, employs 870 staff and is planning to recruit around 50 to 70 more before the Christmas period.
Continuing the anniversary celebrations, Paul and Amanda are doing a 16-mile fundraising hike in Cornwall next week, while staff at the restaurants will be doing everything from cycling a static bike and selling Grimace beanie hats to raffles, cakes sales and spin the wheel to win a prize. All the fundraising is in aid of Ronald McDonald House charity.
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Amanda said: “There’s 14 in the UK, and they’re beside children’s hospitals. So, if your child’s poorly, they provide a home away from home. They’re a kind of hostel where you can stay free of charge.
They’ve got kitchens and private rooms and you’re two minutes away from your ill child. “The charity is amazing. I’ve been to the house in Bristol several times and it makes a real difference to people get while their kids get better.” One of the things Amanda and Paul like about working with McDonald’s is the way it doesn’t stand still.
While it remains a value proposition, the business adapts with the times. Over the last 10 years, Amanda and Paul have seen a lot of changes. Amanda continued: “I think the hospitality element has really, gone up a level.
What You Need to Know
Amanda said: “There’s 14 in the UK, and they’re beside children’s hospitals. So, if your child’s poorly, they provide a home away from home. They’re a kind of hostel where you can stay free of charge.
Report source: Punchline Gloucester
