PEMBROKE — Kenneth Rust, the owner and operator of seven area McDonald’s restaurants. has never been short of words — until now.
Rust was completely surprised when he walked into his McDonald’s in Pembroke on Tuesday to find it overflowing with McDonald’s employees, friends, relatives and other community members waiting to congratulate him on being awarded the Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award, the most prestigious award McDonald owner/operators can receive.
Tim Fisher, vice president of operations and franchising for McDonald’s Raleigh Region, presented Rust with the award that is received by fewer than 1 percent of McDonald’s owners/operators worldwide. The award is given to McDonald’s owners/operators who deliver a superior customer experience, passionately give back to their local communities, ensure a positive employees experience, and whose actions “build brand trust in McDonald’s.”
“There are only about 10 operators a year in the U.S. who receive this award,” Fisher said. “The selection process is unbelievable.”
Rust has been an owner/operator for more than 20 years and currently owns seven McDonald’s restaurants — two in Lumberton, two in Whiteville, and one each in the communities of St. Pauls, Fairmont and Pembroke.
Rust and his wife Lisa, who assists him in managing his restaurants, are both actively involved and financial contributors to several community organizations, including schools, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and churches. Rust is also involved in the operations of all of his restaurants and works closely with all of his employees.
In a statement, a McDonald’s spokesperson said that Rust has previously been awarded the Customer Obsessed Award, which recognizes leadership and excellence in customer service, and the Outstanding Operations Contributor Award, which recognizes contributions to the McDonald’s Operations teams.
Rust told those at Tuesday’s event that he had no idea that he had been nominated for the Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award.
“This is not something you expect,” he said. “You do what you do to try to take care of your customers and employees. You just do your thing. If you take care of your customers, they will take care of you.”
Rust credited his parents Randy and Mary Anne Rust for everything he knows about running a restaurant. His parents in 1973 opened the McDonald’s restaurant on Roberts Avenue in Lumberton.
In addition to praising his wife for her part in making his business a success, Rust also attributed the success of his restaurants to the 600 workers he employs.
“They are the ones who earned this award,” he said. “They are the face of McDonald’s.”
James Gore, Lumberton regional manager for Lumbee Guaranty Bank, said it was “awesome” that Rust received such a high honor from McDonald’s.
“He is a great guy and an extremely good businessman,” Gore said. “He’s so supportive of the communities where he has restaurants. He gives back to the communities where he operates … . I consider him a great friend and someone I am glad to be associated with.”
Joann Anderson, president and CEO of Southeastern Health, said that Rust is “very deserving” of the award.
“They (Kenneth and Lisa) are a great team. They take their jobs seriously,” Anderson said. “Community is very important to them.”
Rust will officially receive his award along with 35 other recipients at the McDonald’s 2016 Worldwide Convention in Orlando, Fla.
