Some may recall the old McDonald’s jingle, “You deserve a break today …”
Longtime owner and operator Priscilla Foster of the fast-food chain’s Wexford restaurant is finally heeding that call.
Foster has fond memories of her employees and customers during more than three decades of owning the McDonald’s on Perry Highway.
“We were pretty much in the store for six days out of the seven,” said Priscilla, who officially retired Nov. 1.
It all began when she and her husband, Steve, decided to take training to become franchise owners some 30 years ago. When the Wexford location became available, they jumped at the opportunity.
While her husband worked the administrative and bookkeeping duties, Priscilla did all the upfront operations, according to their daughter Lauren Burling of Franklin Park.
“She was always working there alongside her crew members. Very physically present. She was typically in the kitchen working the register on a daily basis,” she said.
Burling fondly recalls working at the McDonald’s with her two older sisters. She could take orders by age 11 with a headset on.
She said her mother worked unconventional hours, often leaving the house before the kids did in the morning. She would say hi to her mom at the drive-thru window while getting breakfast before attending school in North Allegheny.
“She knew so many people by their first name, as well as their daily orders. She would never want the attention, but that is exactly why she deserves it,” said Burling.
Priscilla owned the Wexford site for 22 years before being offered more stores. She eventually owned six in the area, including two on McKnight Road and stores in Bellevue, West View and Shaler.
Located near North Allegheny High School in McCandless, the Wexford McDonald’s is not only a place to eat but also provides part-time jobs for many students.
Priscilla had great relationships with the staff and teachers at the North Allegheny, including Frank Farina Jr., former chairman of the North Allegheny music department and director of bands. Many orchestra and band students worked at the store and dined there during practices in the summer and during the school year.
The store had creative promotions involving the district, one time selling 32-ounce cups with the school’s football schedule on it. They printed about 30,000 and would offer free refills after football games for those with the cups, according to Priscilla.
“During theater season and school plays, we were busy. The school generated a lot of business for us. During football games, we had security guards because we were exceeding occupation and only allowed them to go drive-thru,” she said.
Whether to eat or work, the students were regularly present at the store, even a set of twins with one working the first window and the other at the second window.
“Both of them worked the day of the prom on a shorter shift, with one of them even being prom queen,” she said.
Burling said her mother was an advocate for hiring people with disabilities. Priscilla said they were an important part of the team.
Employment came in phases. Sometimes there were lots of students. Other times, more adults applied.
The pandemic affected pay rates, exponentially rising due to staffing needs, Priscilla said. Because of the staffing challenges in Wexford, she utilized workers through the J1 Summer Work and Travel Visa, which allows foreign students to work in the United States.
She had students from places like Argentina, South Korea, China, Brazil and Peru. One employee from the area even married one of the store’s J1 visa students.
They’ve had five Eagle Scouts working at the Wexford store and one former employee who is now at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
Burling said her mom “did it right.”
“She was balancing a lot. I don’t think I fully appreciated it until the last few years how complicated the system is,” said Burling, referring to keeping equipment running properly and the store staffed. “My mom has always been good in a crisis.”
Priscilla and her husband will spend retirement at their home in Sewickley, taking care of their eight grandchildren. She already is designated as a chauffeur for hockey practices.
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She will miss the store but thinks the new owners will do great.
“They’re already making some positive changes,” she said, “and I think they brought a new energy to the store that was needed.”