Behind the counter at a Lilburn McDonald's restaurant

This was one of the more fun segments that we have gotten to do today. During our 11 o'clock hour, our Eli Jordan joined us live from inside a Norcross McDonald's, getting a behind-the-scenes look at how they turn those burgers into meals for everyone and those fresh fries that we all like with all that salt on it. And he joins us now live once again. Eli, you're inside the store. I think that's probably the cult classic, those fries and then also the milkshakes if the machine's working. It's working today, I checked, and we're going to bring that to you in the next hour, I promise. I'm actually here at the drive-thru section of McDonald's here in Lilburn on Indian Trail Road, it's just off 85, and yeah, McDonald's is giving everybody a look just to show people, you know, that... These are hard workers back here. They use really good, fresh ingredients. They've been around for 71 years, so they're obviously doing something right. But this store right here, they've got about 15 people right now working. It's just after the rush lunch hour and all that. And normally they have about 78 total that work all the different shifts here. But joining me now is Debbie Roberts, who is the... Director of Operations for here and nine other stores, I mean, nine stores total, right? Nine stores all together, yes, sir. And so tell me, how hard is it to run or, you know, make sure everything's running well in nine different McDonald's stores? Is it tough? Well... I can say it's tough, but first and foremost, you know, I take my responsibility very seriously. I am first a people manager before my director of operations. So with our company, it's always people first. People first, that builds our base, you know, that goes to operations, sales, and overall profits. So people first, no matter what. Now, people, when they think about, you know, working at McDonald's, they think of it as a summer job, you know, especially someone like me, Gen X, you know, coming up and a summer job for teens and all that. But it's more than that. I mean, you can actually launch a career here and with good benefits, correct? That's absolutely right. So as a teenager, you can actually start here. You can actually go to college. We have benefits such as the Archways of opportunities where you can go back to college. We actually offer 100% tuition with Colorado Tech and up to 80% of any of the colleges. of your choice. So starting here is a really great benefit, not only teenagers, but you know, it's a start myself. I started as a crew person, um, back in Acworth, Georgia and you know, doing fries and lobby really great. And I worked my way all the way up now to being a director of operation with our franchisee company. So you're a crew member in Actworth at a McDonald's. Yes. How long ago? So that was about 23 years ago. So I mean, you stuck with it. You took the job seriously. Yes, yes, I did. And here you are on television representing McDonald's as director of operations. Yes. And, I mean, that opportunity for anybody else is here if they take their job seriously, correct? Absolutely. Absolutely here. And, you know, it's up to you. You know, you come in, start a crew, work your way up. You know, take your job seriously. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that, you know, our customers leave feeling like a valued guest. So you come in being customer obsessed, you know, know your product, know how to speak to your product, know how to make your product. And like I said, we have great benefits. You know, that Archways to Opportunity, great benefits for teenagers. And also tell me again about the scholarship, you know, that you guys offer. Hang on, here's a fries. Oh, that's our golden fries. That is amazing. Oh, that's the iconic fries that are just so tasty right there. And you can barely make it home with them. But you guys offer scholarships, that's right? Yes. So we do. So it's called Archways to Opportunity. Once you start with us, after 90 days of full-time employee, well, full-time, part-time employee as long as you're in good standing. We actually send you back to school. You can actually do your high school online as well, GED program and any college of your choice. But we offer 100% tuition free to Colorado Tech. That is awesome. And then real quick, Tyler, here is the shake machine right here. It is operational. We are going to be pouring up some shakes here. I'll tell you what. You want to pour up a little bit? Sure. Let's see if we can do it. Let's see. Let's see if it's working. We're going to put it on the spot. Here we go. Let's make a hot fudge sundae. Oh, yeah. The ice cream machine is working here at the Lilburn. Indian Trail, we are ready to serve up some hot fudge sundaes, some shakes, maybe some McFlurries, whatever your heart desires here at McDonald's. We're going to be here for the next couple hours showing all of our viewers what goes on to make... Some of our favorite, most iconic food that we grew up with. Tyler, I'll kick it back to you. Eli, do you know what my favorite part of the McFlurry is? Not the ice cream, not like the toppings. It's the spoon that they use. It's so amazing that it like hooks into the machine so they can keep it fresh. I love that. I love that the milkshake and the ice cream machine is working. So if you're heading over there, that's the place to go and that's the thing to order. Eli Jordan, thanks so much for joining us. We'll check in with you in the next hour.