Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin & McDonald’s franchisees highlight Columbia’s summer hiring initiative

McDonald’s and its independent franchisees expect to hire close to 7,000 people in South Carolina this summer

McDonald’s and Mayor Steve Benjamin are highlighting McDonald’s summer hiring initiative and its comprehensive education and career advising program, Archways to Opportunity. McDonald’s and its independent franchisees across South Carolina are expecting to hire 470 people in Columbia and close to 7,000 people across the state to better serve customers this busy summer season. The event takes place at the McDonald’s restaurant located at 434 Gervais St., Columbia, SC on June 11, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

The event will be hosted by BJ Langley, a second generation local McDonald’s Owner/Operator for the past 13 years. He has a long history with McDonald’s starting off as a crew member in high school and then eventually purchasing his first restaurant in 2006 right here in Columbia. It’s a family business for the Langley family and they own nine McDonald’s across the market.

Mayor Benjamin will highlight McDonald’s commitment to community and encourage the Columbia residents to apply for employment at their neighborhood local McDonald’s restaurant.

“I am thrilled to recognize the great work that McDonald’s is doing to help our community,” says Mayor Benjamin. “By getting a summer job at McDonald’s, employees will learn valuable skills and get the chance to further their education through their Archways to Opportunity program.”

The Archways to Opportunity program is McDonald’s comprehensive education program that has assisted more than 38,000 employees across the United States. Eligible after 90 days and 15 hours a week, restaurant employees have the chance to earn a high school diploma, receive $2,500 in upfront college tuition assistance, access to free education and career advising services and the opportunity to learn English as a second language.

Last year, McDonald’s announced it will be investing $150 million over five years to expand the Archways to Opportunity program and help their employees in achieving their educational goals. Since the program’s inception in 2015, McDonald’shas given out more than $548,000 in tuition assistance and supported 296 restaurant employees in South Carolina.

About McDonald’s USA

McDonald’s serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 25 million customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. For more information on the McDonald’s brand, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.