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A JOB at Macca's has been a kick-starter for many into the working world, but for longest serving Queensland employee Ann Brown it represents an entire career.
After beginning at McDonalds Australia 40 years ago as a high school student and part-time worker, climbing her way through ranks to become a four-time restaurant owner, Brown still maintains fond memories of day one at Blacktown in Sydney.
"I remember on my very first day watching the production caller checking the quality of the burgers before they were wrapped and making sure there were enough to cover the orders and, I thought, that's going to be me one day," she says.
Brown graduated from high school expecting to start a career in teaching, but upon recognising the education job market wasn't ideal at the time she decided to continue her stint beneath the golden arches as one of Australia's first female managers.
After moving interstate and purchasing her first restaurant in Coorparoo in 2000, Brown realised the belief she had as a teenager - McDonalds was the place for her career progression.
"At the time most of my friends were in boring 9-5 jobs that they had little passion for with little opportunity for advancement," says Brown.
"I soon realised that with McDonald's I could be promoted up through the ranks and one day manage my own restaurant. It didn't occur to me back then that I could own my own Macca's."
Now the owner of Carindale, Carina Heights and Rocklea branches, Brown currently employs around 400 staff and has acted as a mentor to the thousands of youngsters to have worked in her restaurants over the years.
"McDonald's offers young people a wonderful foundation upon which to build any career because, no matter what your background or education, we have systems in place that will help you to achieve results and advance your career, whether that be at McDonalds or elsewhere," says Brown.
Even after 40 years, Brown says she still enjoys the moments when she gets to work side-by-side with her crew on the floor.
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