When he was just a teenager, Derrick Taylor made a critical career decision. After witnessing his father and brothers suffer an economic “tragedy, losing their jobs after 30-40 plus years of employment, and walk away with nothing, especially no retirement,” he started developing Plan B.
“I remember how devastating it was for me as a teenager. When I graduated from Southern Illinois University and worked at Oldsmobile, similar circumstances happened. I felt it was imperative that I try to do something on my own in addition to working a job,” explains Taylor who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology and business management.
In May 2000, Taylor opened his first McDonald’s. Today, he and his wife Cheryl have six restaurants in Chicago. Perhaps Taylor’s drive to pursue his dream to become an entrepreneur was fueled by the same dogged tenacity that led him when he was a running back for the Percy L. Julian High School football team, the national high school football champions. And it was the same drive that sustained him during his collegiate years at SIU, where his team won the NCAA Division I-AA football title. One thing is for sure, he isn’t one to rest on his laurels.
“In employment, everyone has their shelf life. I didn’t think that I would be at the city long enough to retire due to … the political nature of working for city government. I was always looking to do other things. I was in real estate for 8-10 years and started looking for businesses to purchase. McDonald’s has been a great business venture,” explains Taylor who worked for the city of Chicago for 14 years before accepting a position as assistant commissioner for O’Hare International Airport.
Taylor affirms that building lasting relationships and taking care of your people is essential to succeed as an entrepreneur. “I value the input of my management team and crew. I get their buy-in and that makes them feel a part of the team. This [creates] room for success and opportunities,” shares the former vice president and current PR chair of the Black McDonald’s Operators Association. Taylor is also a member of the Illinois Restaurant Association board.
“It has been my life-long dream to become a successful businessman and entrepreneur, and McDonald’s has enabled me to do just that,” Taylor discloses.
Visit one of Taylor’s McDonald’s locations at: 87th and Wabash; 87th and Blackstone; Chicago Skyline and Toll Road; 83rd and Ashland; 95th and Charles and 79th and King Drive. –yvette caslin
