A high school basketball star and Chicago State University alumnus who’s as tenacious as he is ambitious, Buckley realized that thanks to his 15-year stint in corporate America, he was poised to become an entrepreneur. Having tenured at the BMOA since its inception 10 years ago and served on the board of directors for the past three years, Buckley will assume his new executive position for the chapter this July.
Why did you decide that you wanted to become a McDonald’s operator?
I was in the corporate world for 15 years at Xerox Corporation and hit the glass ceiling. While Xerox was very good to me, my ambition was stronger. I wanted to leave a legacy for my children, something they would take an interest in and possibly take over the business.
Tell us about your community involvement.
The Black McDonald’s Operators Association’s Chicago Chapter is the founding chapter for the national BMOA. We have always played an incredible role in the community, touching the lives of young people and dealing with social and economic issues, and helping in any way that we could. Adding to the fiber of young people and getting them to understand business and launch their careers is vital for our entire community. Working in a [McDonald’s is] most young people’s first job. We encourage [them] to stay in the business and become supervisors, directors of operations, and ultimately owners as well. Many people have come from the rank of crew to become successful operators. Additionally, [we support] the mentor program at Richton Park High School and the chapter’s literacy program, Write to Achieve, that enhances literacy [among students] in Chicago Public Schools.
You currently serve the Angus Burger and have a new menu item on the way. What can McDonald’s lovers expect when they order it?
If you haven’t tried the Angus Burger, you [must]. It has some incredible seasoning on it, and is on a nice kaiser bun. Most of our customers have fallen in love with it. We anticipated it being a temporary product, but we have added it to our main menu because it was so successful. We are about to launch the Angus Snack Wrap, it’s on a corn tortilla and it has all of the fixings that are on the sandwich. It’s [easier] to handle if you’re eating while you drive.
Be sure to visit one of Buckley’s McDonald’s locations in the south Chicago suburbs; Richton Park, South Chicago Heights and Monee, Ill., to get your hands on the Angus Burger and be the first in line for the new Angus Snack Wrap. –yvette caslin
