With the support of her family members who already had McDonald’s franchises, Patricia Williams left her rehabilitation therapist job, took a leap of faith and opened her own McDonald’s franchise store in 1984. Williams and her husband cashed out their 401(k)s and took out a small business loan to purchase their first McDonald’s location in Los Angeles. Despite having to attend required classes to become a certified McDonald’s owner and raising two young daughters at the time, Williams knew it was the right opportunity and has never regretted it since.
Over the years, Williams’ hard work paid off as the McDonald’s brand grew in the 80s and she was able to purchase a second store. However, her marriage ended and she bought her husband’s share in their business, sold their stores, and opened five more on her own. “When life kicks you in the butt, you’ve got to be willing to say I’m going to do something different to make it better,” Williams reflects.
Despite facing additional challenges as a lone female entrepreneur, Williams persevered and convinced the corporation and banks that she was qualified to take over the restaurants. She proved herself to be an operational excellence and built an empire of McDonald’s franchises, owning 18 restaurants across Los Angeles County with her two daughters as of 2018.
Both daughters, Nicole Enearu and Kerri Harper-Howie, soaked up their mother’s tenacity and determination, learning the value of hard work and success. Eventually, Nicole and Kerri joined the family business and applied to become owner/operators, taking over their mother’s restaurants and purchasing new ones of their own.
Today, the sisters not only operate the business but also support the communities they serve by giving money to local schools, churches, and service organizations. As Kerri explains, “Owning restaurants in predominantly African American and Latino communities, communities of color, we find ourselves in a position to give people their first job and money for college.”
Patricia Williams’ success story is a true testament to the opportunities that the McDonald’s franchise has to offer and the value of hard work and determination. Her legacy lives on through her daughters, who continue to feed and foster the communities they serve. As Nicole emphasizes, “It’s about excellence and making sure we do the work every day.”
As an African American woman, Patricia Williams’ achievement in owning and operating multiple McDonald’s franchises is nothing short of remarkable. She took a risk and overcame countless obstacles, including being a single mother, to build an empire that not only supported her family but also provided jobs and opportunities for the communities she served.
And her legacy lives on through her daughters, Nicole and Kerri, who continue to carry the torch for the family business while also making a positive impact in their communities. For Williams, owning McDonald’s franchises was more than just a business venture, it was a way to break barriers and pave the way for future generations of entrepreneurs of colour to follow in her footsteps.
