Fans to Recognize Stand-Out McDonald’s Employees in their Community with new ‘Thank You Crew’ Initiative

McDonald’s alum turned platinum rapper, Lil Yachty, kicks off the celebration by surprising a restaurant team in his hometown of Atlanta

(CHICAGO – April 20, 2022) – From thoughtful gestures like greeting customers with a song or paying for their order at the Drive Thru, to extraordinary actions like saving a choking customer’s life, McDonald’s crew members are constantly showing up for customers and making their days a little brighter. And our fans love to celebrate them in return, with thank-you shout-outs at local restaurants and all over social media.

This week, we’re launching a new initiative called ‘Thank You Crew’ to build the hype from coast to coast. We’re inviting customers nationwide to join us in recognizing McDonald’s crew and managers in their local restaurant who are going above and beyond.

Submit your stories at mcdonalds.com/thanks. We want to hear about the burger-making masters behind the counter that always deliver the perfect pickles-onion-lettuce-mayo-ketchup ratio, the manager who made sure your little sister got her favorite Happy Meal toy, or the crew member who did something truly inspiring that deserves to be shouted from the rooftops. As stories roll in, local franchisees who own and operate McDonald’s restaurants across the US will recognize many of these crew with one-of-a-kind thank-you experiences that are personalized to them.

For a crew team known for going the extra mile for customers at a McDonald’s restaurant in Atlanta, the surprise of a lifetime happened to be a visit from one of their favorite artists (and Atlanta hometown hero) Lil Yachty. A former crew member himself, Yachty dropped by this week to share a McChicken ® and fries with the team and say thanks for everything they do.

“I learned a lot working at McDonald’s before my music career took off, and this visit brought those memories right back,” said Lil Yachty. “I give huge credit to all the McDonald’s crew showing up and working hard every single day. They deserve big things, real celebrations, and I’m here for that.”

These surprises are just the beginning as McDonald’s and franchisees continue to celebrate crew nationwide in big and small ways. We know there’s no one way to say thank you – local celebrations might include a party with friends and family at the restaurant, a surprise delivery of flowers and balloons, free tickets to see their favorite artist or sports team, or even a weekend getaway.

“So many of our customers have shared special moments with our crew – from celebrating important milestones in their lives to helping them get through the day with that special treat,” said Tiffanie Boyd, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, McDonald’s USA. “Our franchisees are thanking their restaurant crew in unique, meaningful ways for all this and more. This program was inspired by them, and I can’t wait to celebrate even more outstanding crew as new thank-you's start rolling in.”

To hear more real-life stories of how McDonald’s crew have made our customers’ days and inspired us to take these celebrations to the next level, check out our new TV spot and Thank You Crew submission page at mcdonalds.com/thanks. From morning coffee serenades to clearing off snowy windshields, our crew is making a difference for our customers and local communities every day.

About McDonald’s USA
McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.