A CHARITABLE franchisee has received an MBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace.
Douglas Wright, who owns and operates 23 McDonald’s restaurants across the region including Solihull, Shirley and Olton was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list following the Platinum Jubilee for Services to the Economy and Charity in the West Midlands.
His charitable initiatives include a six-year role as chairman for Ronald McDonald House (RMHC) in Birmingham, where he helped the organisation find new ways to fundraise for the ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families with children receiving care at the nearby Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
This was done by setting up the first virtual and hybrid events, raising more than £300,000. Doug’s work with RMHC was recognised globally, with a special award being presented to him at the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention.
His MBE also celebrates his dedication to businesses through his various roles as a mentor or special advisor and board member at the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce where Douglas helped local businesses navigate government initiatives, whilst managing the safe operation of his own stores during the pandemic.
Douglas said: “Being presented with an MBE for Services to the Economy and Charity in the West Midlands is a great honour for myself and my family and I’d like to thank everybody across the business community who has been so generous with their time, advice and support along the way.
“I take great pride in being committed to the local communities around our restaurants and look forward to continuing to help contribute towards making them even better places to live and work.”
In 2021, Douglas celebrated his 40th anniversary working for McDonald’s, where he began his career as a cleaner at the age of 16 and became McDonald’s youngest UK restaurant manager by the age of 20.
In 2016, Doug was recognised as one of the best Franchisees and was handed the Fred L Turner Golden Arch Award, the highest accolade in the global McDonald’s empire.
