McDonald’s Operator And Son Benefit From Education Program
McDonald’s Operator And Son Benefit From Education Program
By Tia Carol Jones
Vincent Hale was working at McDonald’s as a crew member as an adult with a family and he decided to go back to school. He was looking for any way to offset the expense of going to school. Quentin Hale started out at McDonald’s as a crew member as a teenager. He wanted to attend college, but didn’t want his parents to carry the financial burden.
Vincent Hale and Quentin Hale both took advantage of the Archways to Opportunity program. In 2016, Vincent earned his MBA in Management Leadership from Northern Illinois University, and Quentin earned a Bachelor's Degree in business management from Roosevelt University.
The program, which launched in 2015, provides college tuition assistance, has a career online high school program, as well as helps people improve their English skills. Since its launch, the program has provided tuition assistance to more than 700,000 restaurant employees. Vincent Hale said that when he participated in the program, it went by a different name, but the goal was the same, to help McDonald’s employees succeed by giving them an opportunity to learn and grow.
Vincent Hale said that being part of the Archways to Opportunity program was beneficial because it helped him determine how many classes he could take. He said that having tuition support from the program allows crew members to have something to count on. Being a college student as an adult and working full-time and balancing a family, not having to worry about paying for college was valuable. He said it gave him peace of mind.
Quentin Hale said it took a lot off his mind to not have to worry about the financial part of going to college, which meant he could focus on the academic part of attending college. He said working and going to school at the same time is a lot and he was glad he had the support of his parents but acknowledges that other crew members might not have the same kind of support, so the Archways to Opportunity program is really special.
“I think what McDonald’s is doing is so awesome, and it is great they are ablet to do it for their employees,” Quentin Hale said.
Vincent Hale has been working with McDonald’s for more than 25 years. Now, he and his family operate 14 McDonald’s locations in the Chicagoland area, mostly on the South side of the city. He said when he thinks about McDonald’s he thinks about opportunity. He bought the first three restaurants about eight years ago. Quentin works with his dad, Vincent’s wife works in the office and his daughter is the Director of Operations.
Quentin Hale said he enjoys working with his family. He said working with his parents is good because they have synergy. He is proud to be part of the business. Vincent Hale said he finds that working with his family is easy, because they are open with each other. He said they are open to change.
Vincent said he understands the struggle some of his crew members might be experiencing and he is thrilled that he and his family are able to provide these kinds of resources to them through the Archways to Opportunity program. He said he wants his crew members to know that the resources exist and encourages them to take advantage of the opportunity.
“When we hire new employees, we talk about it at orientation, so that they know about it. We introduce it to them in the breakroom, we have posters, we talk about it,” Vincent Hale said.
Quentin Hale said it is great to see people utilize the Archways to Opportunity program. Vincent Hale said the program is vital and meaningful to people and he is glad that McDonald's offers this program.
For more information about Archways to Opportunity, visit www.archwaystoopportunity.com.
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