Business
13 November, 2024
New McDonald’s owner taking a hands-on approach in Mount Isa
Ahead of McHappy Day, James Nas explains how he ended up in Mount Isa.
James Nas is not your typical McDonald’s franchise owner.
In fact, if you’ve ordered online and had it home delivered in the last few months, chances are that it was James who dropped it at your front door.
The 39-year-old took the keys to the Mount Isa store earlier this year and has hit the ground running.
The South Australian, who has moved here with his wife Amy – who he met at McDonalds 20 years ago – and their two children, said he was loving life as a franchise owner, having spent the past decade as a general manager of several stores in Adelaide.
“Everyone’s been really friendly,” James said of Mount Isans.
“I’ve got to know some different people in the community; I’ve gone out and started playing cricket at Cavaliers and I’ve started helping coach the junior cricketers as well.
“I’ve always been heavily involved with different sporting organisations, especially cricket, so it was good to settle in straight away.”
James’ story is not an unusual one in the McDonald’s universe.
From flipping burgers to running his own restaurant, many others have followed a similar path to the top of the golden arches.
He first joined McDonald’s in 2001, working as a crew member in Gawler.
Since arriving in Mount Isa, the new franchisee has already made several positive changes.
“Staffing has been probably my biggest focus since day one and a lot of it was just getting to know the team members that were here,” he said.
“We’re up to 100 employees now, which is probably up by about 35 or 40 from when I first got here.
“We’ve gone back to the full 24-hour trading and we now have a full delivery service.”
The boss himself has been a regular behind the wheel, dropping off orders to Mount Isa locals.
This Saturday shapes as one of the busiest days of the year for the Macca’s crew, with drive-thrus to be flat chat on McHappy Day.
“We use McHappy Day to support Ronald McDonald House and I know that many Mount Isa families use the facilities they have in Townsville so we’re eager to support it as much as we can,” said James, adding that $2 from every Big Mac would go towards charity this Saturday.