The nation’s top McDonald’s restaurant managers gathered in Chicago to receive the Ray Kroc Award this week. The Ray Kroc Award is an annual performance-based award that recognizes the top one percent of McDonald’s restaurant managers in the country. Named after McDonald’s corporate founder Ray Kroc, the award is given to managers who deliver superior results in selected areas of performance—operational excellence, reinforcing McDonald’s commitment to people, and building the business.
Only 135 managers were chosen this year to receive the Ray Kroc Award, an honor that comes with a cash award, a Ray Kroc award trophy and pin, and a trip to Chicago for the March 15 awards gala. The banquet was hosted by Ralph Alvarez, president, McDonald’s North America at Chicago’s Renaissance Hotel.
Ray Kroc built the McDonald’s business on the belief that greatness can only be achieved through the dedication and support of a company’s people. The award was named after him based on his commitment to people and recognizing their contributions to the organization he helped establish. “I am honored to congratulate the top one percent of McDonald’s restaurant managers in the country,” says Alvarez. “We are proud to pay tribute to the best and brightest managers in our system for the critical role they play in delivering a truly outstanding restaurant experience.”
McDonald’s owner/operators and/or regional staff nominate restaurant managers for the Ray Kroc Award to recognize their hard work, dedication, and commitment to McDonald’s. From there, a selection committee of representatives from McDonald’s operations, training and human resources select the top one percent of McDonald’s Restaurant Managers for the Ray Kroc Award.
