It was good to discuss local jobs and investment with McDonald’s franchisee Jose and his team at the West Quay Retail Park restaurant on Friday.
While we think of McDonald’s a huge corporation, most restaurants are actually run by local franchisees, who help to create jobs and opportunities in places like Southampton. Jose employs hundreds of staff across his restaurants in Southampton and the region, and a majority of them are under 25.
I spoke some of their staff, including their apprentices, about career opportunities and skills development. And Jose and I had a good conversation about the impact of this government’s game-changing Employment Rights Act – much of it positive, but also some feedback which will be helpful in my conversations with ministers and colleagues.
And of course – no MP visit to McDonald’s is complete without the obligatory attempt at making a Big Mac. Happy to say that mine turned out reasonably well, although if you were a customer that day you’ll be relieved to know I ate it myself!
