Sibling Success: The Road to Becoming Franchisees

Rob and Chris’s connection to McDonald’s goes back to their childhood, spending time at their father, Chuck Sparrer’s first restaurant, which he opened in Granger, Utah in 1975. Immersed in the family business from an early age, they took on various roles within their father’s restaurants over the years, from crew members to managerial positions.

“My first job at McDonald’s was pulling weeds in front of the store.  During high school, every summer I joined the restaurant team as a crew member – which taught me the importance of teamwork, customer service and what it takes to run a successful McDonald’s restaurant. I then opened my first restaurant in 1996,” said Rob Sparrer.

“We grew up in the business and both learned so much from our dad. It was a part of our family DNA,” said Chris Sparrer-Baer. “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to become a franchisee myself – but most importantly, it gave us the chance to work alongside family. Rob and I have a great working relationship.”

Today, Rob and Chris oversee 31 McDonald’s locations across Utah.

Ensuring Excellence: Upholding Safety and Quality Standards

Rob and Chris are focused on safety and quality across their entire operations. They believe in fostering a culture of care by running their restaurants and managing their teams with integrity and transparency – from maintaining rigorous safety procedures to using quality ingredients in their restaurants.

“It’s all about following processes and routines with rigorous training and follow-up,” explains Rob. “From the moment ingredients arrive at our back door, we monitor everything—from temperature checks during delivery to proper storage and preparation in the kitchen.”

Chris adds, “We adhere strictly to McDonald’s safety protocols, conducting regular training sessions for our crew to keep them updated on the importance of food safety standards. Our goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment for both our employees and customers. We have systems in place to ensure food safety procedures are completed multiple times daily, and we review reports to confirm that nothing is missed.”
 

Honoring Their Crew

When you ask Rob and Chris about their success as small business owners, they’ll tell you it’s all made possible thanks to their exceptional team. They foster a family-oriented culture by organizing events that include employees’ families, such as renting out movie theaters and hosting dinners. They’ve even witnessed the growth of their employees’ families over the years, with some of their children eventually joining the business.

“It’s all about collaboration and recognizing each other’s strengths,” said Chris. “It’s important to us that everyone knows one another and that we’re sharing expertise and helping each other succeed across the team. Whether it’s potlucks, milestone celebrations, or simple acts of kindness, we strive to build an environment where everyone feels valued.

Rob adds, “McDonald’s is built on opportunity. Many of our leadership team members started as crew members. We promote from within and focus on helping people develop skills, whether it’s their first job, a part-time position, or a career path.”

Caring for the Community

With restaurants that serve as community hubs across Utah, Rob and Chris are committed to showing up for their hometown neighbors.  

Their restaurants are where they host McTeacher’s Nights to raise funds for local schools, and where they encourage customers to support Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) through the “Round Up” program - where they can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar with the difference donated to RMHC. “Each restaurant has its own unique sense of community,” says Chris.  

On a personal level, Chris also serves as Board Emeritus and was the past Board Chair for RMHC of the Intermountain Area, supporting the organization’s mission of assisting families with seriously ill or injured children.

When asked what motivates them as franchise owners - they said, “The people, without a doubt. From our team members to our customers, it’s the relationships we’ve built that keep us going. Seeing employees grow, families thrive, and the next generation getting involved is incredibly fulfilling. It’s more than just a business—it’s a community, and we’re grateful to be a part of it.”