Site last updated: Thursday, March 28, 2024

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Resident continues to provide service with a smile

BUTLER — After more than two decades in the industry, Martha Kennedy knows McDonald’s inside and out.

Saturday mornings find Martha Kennedy prowling the counter of the McDonald’s in the Greater Butler Mart, helping new hires, joking with customers and making sure the food goes out on time.

“I love my job,” she said.

This will be Kennedy’s 24th year working at McDonald’s. When she started in 1993, her children were in school and she was looking for somewhere to work and make some extra money.

“I saved my money, and something big would take it,” she said.

That’s when she saw an advertisement from McDonald’s offering flexible hours for mothers with children in school.

Now, two decades later, she is 66 years old and still comes in every week.

Her husband, Frank, drops her off on his way to his business, Koeppen Alignment Service, and picks her up at the end of her shift.

Kennedy comes in every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., meeting new people every day and imparting her wisdom to her often young coworkers.

“I love working with my kids,” she says. “I call them ‘my kids.’”

Kennedy said she encourages them to be the best they can be and to always treat others the way you would like to be treated no matter the circumstance.

“Believe me, there are days when I could just walk out and never return, but that’s called a job,” she said. “I would never do that, I don’t believe in that.”

Her “kids” return the favor, keeping her on her toes and in the loop on the latest trends and social media fads.

“I did the Ice Bucket Challenge,” she said, referring to the online sensation that raised money and awareness for Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS).

Recently, her fellow employees introduced her to “dabbing,” a dance that’s become popular around the world and on social media.

“I enjoy working with the kids. They make me feel young,” she said. “I don’t feel my age when I’m here.”

In 2017, McDonald’s has changed significantly from what it was in the 90s — from decor to the Happy Meal makeup.

From the dozens of screens lighting up every corner of the place, to the ever expanding menu, Kennedy has been behind the counter through it all.

The biggest change she’s noticed over the years is the loosening regulations for employee’s appearances.

When she started, employees could not wear colored nail polish and could only have certain specific kinds of piercings.

Now, the rules are much less stringent, Kennedy explained.

“These days, it’s great just to have kids who want a job.

“To be honest, no one wants to work,” she said.

In her time at McDonald’s, Kennedy has gotten to know everyone from coworkers to managers to customers, and she meets new people every day.

She also knew the boss. James Sweeney, the franchise’s former owner, passed away last year.

“He was a wonderful boss,” she said.

Behind the counter she writes down new customers’ names so she can greet them when they come in next, though there’s many that she’s known for a while.

Kennedy says she likes having fun with the customers while waiting for new orders to come in.

“This is Al,” she said, pointing to a camo-clad man in a booth eating his burger.

“I’m George,” the man said.

“You’re George if I say you’re George!” Kennedy said, laughing and returning to the counter.

When the orders do come, they come in droves. Kennedy rattles off menu items like an auctioneer looking to clear her queue.

“You can have one of these and one of these, or one of these and one of these,” she said. “All right — sweet tea and a Number 2!”

“You know what Martha, you’re the mayor of McDonald’s,” one customer said.

The orders are placed and the customers served, Kennedy starts tidying and restocking the counter.

“I’ll work here as long as my health allows,” she said. “I enjoy my job. That’s it.”

More in Digital Media Exclusive

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS