Restaurants
10 McDonald's owner-operators
These ten current McDonald's owner-operators have owned McDonald's restaurants. A reader can learn how McDonald's owner-operators run their restaurants from people who have done it.
Professionals to explore
01—10Daniel Meadows
LinkedInExperience: Owner Operator - McDonald's · McDonald's
Owner Operator at McDonald's since February 2025, based in Sydney; the profile lists the role as McDonald's Franchisee Director of M2 Family Restaurants Pty Ltd. Earlier roles include Business Manager at McDonald's (2012–2019), Area Manager at Kaufland (2019–2020) and operations roles at LINX Port Services (2021–2023).
Dustin Back
LinkedInExperience: Owner/Operator · McDonald's
Owner/Operator at McDonald's since December 2022 and President of Back Restaurants Corporation since October 2022, with locations in the Greater Houston market. The profile says Dustin began as a McDonald's Owner/Operator in 2022 by purchasing the first two restaurants in Tomball, Texas; the listing also shows a Registered Applicant role at McDonald's (2022). Earlier roles include Chief Financial Officer at StartBox (2019–2021).
Joe Burger
LinkedInExperience: Owner · McDonald's
Owner at McDonald's since April 2007, based in Knoxville; the profile describes Joe as franchise owner of 3Burgers LLC dba McDonald's, with 9 McDonald's restaurants in Knoxville and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Before that the listing shows United States Air Force roles including Chief Operating Officer and Hospital Administrator (2005–2007).
Julio Morgan Gillis
LinkedInExperience: Owner · McDonald's
Owner at McDonald's since December 2018 in New Jersey; the profile describes the role as Owner/Operator within the Gillis Organization, which owns 22 locations in New Jersey and New York. Earlier McDonald's rows in the listing are Next Generation Owner Operator Candidate (2018), Director of Operations (2017–2018), Area Supervisor (2015–2017) and General Manager (2012–2015).
Kari Swenson
LinkedInExperience: Owner · Horizon LLC: Restaurant Management Group
Owner of Horizon LLC: Restaurant Management Group since 2014, in the Washington DC-Baltimore area; the profile headline reads McDonald's Owner/Operator and says Kari currently owns and operates 12 franchised McDonald's locations, including in Maryland and DC. Earlier roles include owner of Playgrounds Cafe (2006–2008) and merchandising at LVMH (2000–2005).
Laurie Barnes
LinkedInExperience: Owner Operator · McDonald's
Owner Operator at McDonald's since October 2009, based in Richmond, Virginia, with the role tagged at owner level; the profile headline describes Laurie as a McDonald's franchisee. Before that the listing shows a Law Clerk role at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (2008–2009).
Lynn Vineyard Miller
LinkedInExperience: President/Owner · LVM Partners, LLC dba McDonald's
President/Owner of LVM Partners, LLC dba McDonald's since 1996 and Vice President of Vineyard Industries, Inc dba McDonald's since 1988, based in Conyers, Georgia. The profile says the franchise owns and operates 28 restaurants in Southeast Atlanta and describes the family as a third-generation franchisee. Lynn was earlier a Senior Accountant/CPA at KPMG US (1986–1988).
PJ Fonseca
LinkedInExperience: Owner operator · McDonald's
Owner operator at McDonald's since November 2010 and Owner of The Fonseca Group since 2020, in the New York City area. The profile describes PJ as franchisee of 34 McDonald's restaurants in New York and New Jersey. The listing also shows a board seat at Ronald McDonald House New York since 2021.
Steve McKinney
LinkedInExperience: Owner Operator · McDonald's
Owner Operator at McDonald's since December 2010 and President of McKinney Restaurant Management, Inc since October 2010, based in Montgomery, Texas. Before that the listing shows Steve as an offensive center and guard for the Houston Texans (2002–2008) and the Seattle Seahawks (2008–2009).
Usman Tahir Jutt
LinkedInExperience: Owner Operator · McDonald's
Owner Operator at McDonald's since May 2013, based in Calgary, and President and CEO of Chirp Group Inc. since March 2013. The profile says that in 2013 Usman became McDonald's Canada's youngest operator. Before that the listing shows a Retailer role at Husky Energy (2006–2013).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's scale and market to your question, since an operator with a handful of restaurants and one running dozens across several states deal with different staffing and management layers. Consider how long they have operated, because a newer operator and one with decades in the system can speak to different stages of the business.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you structure management across several restaurants as an owner-operator grows?
- 02What changed most in day-to-day operations in your first years as an owner-operator?
- 03How do you hire, train and keep restaurant managers and crew in a tight labor market?
Reaching McDonald's owner-operators
How can I contact one of these McDonald's owner-operators?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 3 companies: McDonald's; Horizon LLC: Restaurant Management Group and LVM Partners, LLC dba McDonald's, based on profile data retrieved on October 10, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach McDonald's owner-operators?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
Can an AI agent ask one of these McDonald's owner-operators a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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