Leading Locally: McDonald’s Franchisee Domenico Di Carluccio’s Golden Impact
August 20, 2025
For Domenico Di Carluccio, becoming a McDonald’s franchisee wasn’t just a career move, it was a calling. After nearly two decades of working at giant global companies, Domenico wanted something more than the typical corporate ladder. He wanted a connection to his work and community and had the desire to build something of his own.
In 2012, he became a franchisee of his first McDonald’s restaurant in Rome. Today, he leads six locations throughout Italy, with each reflecting his commitment to blending strong operational standards with a deep connection to local communities.
Becoming a McDonald’s Franchisee: Envision, Enable, Energize
As a local business owner, Domenico leads a team of more than 360 employees and brings a leadership philosophy that centers on three core values: envision, enable, and energize. These values guide how he sets a clear direction for his teams, equips them with the tools they need to succeed, and motivates them to bring their best selves to work each day. His approach goes beyond daily operations and instead focuses on cultivating a workplace culture where people feel valued, supported, and proud to be part of something meaningful.
His McDonald’s restaurants offer resources that prioritize employee well-being, including after-school support for working parents, access to free mental health services, and fun recognition programs like Manager of the Month celebrations. Through McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program, he also invests in the future of his team, offering scholarships, tuition assistance, training programs and career development resources for employees.
How Domenico’s McDonald’s Restaurants Give Back to the Community
Domenico’s influence stretches far beyond his McDonald’s restaurant. He actively encourages his team to give back through organized community clean-up days around Rome, which strengthens team members’ connection with the communities they serve.
On top of the clean-up work, Domenico also contributes to McDonald’s broader food donation efforts. His restaurants have helped deliver more than 6,000 meals to people experiencing homelessness or food insecurity throughout Rome over the last two years. For Domenico, giving back is not just an occasional gesture; it's an integral part of his franchise business.
Global Vision, Local Approach
Domenico embraces a “glocalization” mindset, which combines global brand power with the human touch of local business. It's a philosophy he lives out in everything he does, from staffing and training to charity and community celebrations.
With a career rooted in international expertise and deep ties to his hometown, Domenico showcases how world-class leadership at the Golden Arches goes beyond entrepreneurship and business operations. By creating opportunities and driving meaningful impact in the lives of employees and local communities, his restaurants do good far beyond the counter to inspire entrepreneurs, McDonald’s owner/operators, and potential franchisees interested in a new franchise opportunity.
