Joni Thrower Davis and Herbert J. Thomas came together to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship in the next generation of McDonald’s owner-operators at RIDE Con’s Peace and Purpose Retreat. Davis is an owner-operator in Detroit and is also general counsel and managing partner of Jamjomar Inc. representing 30 McDonald’s restaurants in both Michigan and Louisiana.
Thomas is also an owner-operator and is vice president of the New York Metro Chapter of the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association. He is a current member of the Value Team Committee and Digital Value Sub-committee and is the owner-operator Delivery Team lead for New York Metro.
What’s it like being a part of the next generation of Black McDonald’s owners?
Thrower Davis: Well, first of all, I’m blessed. I recognize that every day and I can appreciate my parents laying the groundwork. And to explain exactly what the Next Generation program is, it allows the children and spouses of current McDonald’s owner-operators to jump the line and get right into the family business.
What’s nice about that is all of us have grown up in the business and we are really, truly the prime candidates for becoming the next owner-operators. It allows us to continue the business and hopefully the legacy that each of our families creates. I think that when the baton gets passed to you, from your parents, it’s a lot of pressure. You don’t want to let folks down, particularly, when you know your folks are very active in the community.
Continue reading on the next page.
