Jon Betts, who began as a McDonald's crew member frying chips in 1989, now owns 16 McDonald's restaurants across East London, employing around 1,300 people. His journey from part-time worker to franchisee culminated in the recent opening of his newest location in Canary Wharf.
From University Dropout to 30-Year Career
In 1989, at age 18, Jon Betts dropped out of university and returned to his previous job at McDonald's, where he had worked during his A-Levels. What he intended as a temporary stop became a 30-year career. "I worked my way up. I started as a crew member in Grays as a part-time job, doing everything from frying chips and cleaning to where I am now," Betts told MyLondon.
Starting in Grays, Betts climbed the operations ranks, eventually becoming a business manager at several restaurants in East London. He spent 15 years advising McDonald's franchisees before seizing the opportunity to become a franchisee himself in 2022.
From Four Restaurants to 16
In 2022, Betts bought his first four restaurants in East London. Four years later, he owns 16. "After 30 years of working for McDonald's, I got the chance. I was able to buy four restaurants in East London to start with. Four years later, I now own 16," he said. His franchise spans Dagenham, Gallions Reach, Beckton, Ilford, Bethnal Green, and Barking.
Betts proudly notes that he owns and operates the first restaurant he managed as a business manager in 1995, located in Barking. "There are still a couple of staff members there who remember me from when I was a manager," he said.
Canary Wharf Return and Diverse Workforce
Betts recently celebrated opening a new location in Canary Wharf, an area he has called home for 25 years. The opening on September 23 marked the chain's return to Canary Wharf after a 12-year absence. Betts, who employs over 1,300 people from diverse backgrounds, said: "I imagine I most likely have the most diverse employee base of any franchisee in the UK."
McDonald's UK has around 200 franchisees, including former police officers and career climbers like Betts. "Being able to watch people that you've hired go on to grow and develop in successful roles is something I am proud of," he said.
Hands-On Leadership
Despite owning 16 restaurants, including the busy Westfield Stratford location, Betts remains hands-on. "There isn't anything that I'd ask my team to do that I'm not prepared to do myself. If it gets busy in a restaurant, I'm always prepared to help and join in," he said. All of his business managers started as crew members, reflecting McDonald's role as a first-job provider.
Betts concluded: "I feel very privileged to have had such a rewarding and fulfilling career with McDonald's. I now have a responsibility to help others in the same way that I was supported."
