Coalition of Franchisee Associations

September 28, 2015

Wisdom From One of the Original McDonald's Operators

My first gig as a McDonald's store manager was with the partnership of Zien-Heller in Minneapolis. I didn't know much about the structure of the partnership except that they
had the rights to develop McDonald's in the City of Minneapolis and they controlled the
real estate. We knew we worked for both men but reported directly to Jim Zien, he was 
in the restaurants frequently, Sim Heller occasionally.

One day Sim Heller made an unannounced visit to my restaurant and was especially 
interested in a contractor who was tiling walls in the back of the kitchen, walls that had previously been painted. I was excited about the upgrade - him - not so much. 

Sim wiped his hand across the 4x4 salt and pepper tiles and just said, "I hope Zien can 
afford it". 

Today's McDonald's Operators should emulate the very wise Sim Heller and when asked
to get involved in questionable initiatives respond with, "I hope Easterbrook can afford it".

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