Man who opened first-ever McDonald’s in Yorkshire now turns over £54million a year
GEORGE Michniewicz, the man who opened the first McDonald's in Yorkshire now runs a franchise empire worth over £54million a year.
The son of a Polish immigrant, he started his McDonald's career as a trainee manager, around 1982.
Now, he runs 14 McDonald's restaurants across East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire,
He first applied to be a trainee manager in his local Nottingham store, a role he took on as a stop gap until something else came along.
McDonald's was far from the huge high street chain it is now, but it was growing, and George spotted an opportunity.
He told Hull Live: "Looking back it was perfect timing and it is about taking the opportunity. With my background and the values instilled into me, I was able to take those opportunities.
"But it has not been plain sailing. I have had good times, bad times and very bad times."
He did several management roles throughout stores in the Midlands, until he was promoted to business manager in 1985.
It was then that he was put in charge of opening the first McDonald's in Leeds.
Using this as a stepping stone, George's responsibilities continued to grow and he was made area manager for West Yorkshire and then East Yorkshire as well.
HOW TO BECOME A FRANCISEE
BECOMING a franchisee is similar to starting up your own business - here's what you need to know.
- Up-front capital - Becoming a franchisee usually requires a significant amount of up-front capital.
Levels vary significantly from company to company so it's important to know what you can afford and how much you want to borrow.
For instance, if you want to open a McDonald's you'll need to have at least £100,000 to invest. - Choosing the right business - If you start your own business, you get to choose what it does, how it's branded and the business model.
If you're opening a franchise you'll inherit certain ways of doing things, ingredients or products and marketing and branding.
That means it's really important to choose a business that you believe in and that fits with your business goals. - Use the British Franchise Association - This is the not-for-profit trade association that accredits franchisors to make sure their systems, support and disclosure is all up to scratch.
- Understand the model - Makes sure you understand how your chosen business operates and what you need to do on a daily basis.
You might want to think about a company you have experience in, as Geroge did with McDonald's or one that you're passionate about. - Ask about training - Find out what training you'll receive, not just to set your business up but also to keep it going.
- Understand the costs - It's not just the initial investment you'll have to make, you'll also have to keep paying fees throughout your career.
These could be a percentage of turnover, or charged in some other way. Make sure the charges are fair and you know how you'll be charged and when. - Involve the lawyers - Make sure you have a qualified franchising lawyer to check your contract before you sign it.
Contracts are often lengthy, sometimes as much as five years, so make sure you understand the legal side of things. - Prepare well - You can't just walk upto a business and demand a franchise. Most organisations thoroughly vet anyone applying for a franchise.
You want the business to have a thorough process, as that means it is guarding its brand well, but that also means you'll need to show you are up to scratch.
He was then asked to oversee the launch of the first ever McDonald's in Poland.
He said: "I was asked to go to Poland as I speak Polish. It was an incredible experience as we ended up with 30,000 people through the door in just one day.
"People were queueing round the block all day. There were 500 people on the payroll there and that took some organising."
It was at that stage that George decided he wanted to start franchising.
McDonald's offered him the franchise on the store in Poland, but he decided the timing wasn't right as he had a young family.
Eventually he settled in Hull and opened the Jameson Street restaurant in the city centre.
After that, his franchise grew rapidly. Within the next few years he opened another three restaurants at St Andrew’s Quay, Willerby and Hedon Road.
In 2007 those four restaurants, grew to 16 as McDonald's started to push the franchise model, something George describes as "a bit of a risk."
Now the franchise covers 14 McDonald's restaurants throughout Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
George says that he got his drive and ambition from his parents, who had a difficult life in Poland.
He explained to Hull Live: "My mum told me she would have to travel 7km to school every day. My father suffered shrapnel injuries after fighting during the Second World War.
"They both fled Poland when the Soviet Union took over with its Communist regime. My mum had to travel through Siberia and Palestine to get to the UK.
"We were a blue collar family and my dad died when I was very young so my mum worked as a cleaner. That is where I gained my work ethic. My background and that of my parents drove me on."
Running a franchise is far from straightforward, but George says that McDonald's gives him the freedom to develop the business how he wants to.
He says that being in charge of my his business and running his own restaurant has always been an ambition, and now thanks to his franchise he has achieved just that.
Now, has over 1,400 people on his payroll.
As the business is a franchise he doesn't have full independence though, he has to use the official McDonald's branding and ingredients and he doesn't get to identify sites for new restaurants.
He does , however, have control over the building and development of sales (which McDonald's takes a percentage cut of).
He says his greatest satisfaction is seeing how his staff grow and meeting up with people he employed 20 years ago to see how they have succeeded.
He praised the McDonald's manager system, pointing out that the chain offers degrees to business managers.
Four of his employees have gone through that process in the last ten years.
He's also excited about the innovation taking place at McDonald's to keep the chain relevant.
This includes new innovative ways of ordering, a personalised app and menu boards that will recognise what people order and tailor the experience to them
He says the business also be introducing ‘great taste from around the world’ sandwiches next year.
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