TAMPA – Olga Montano wiped away tears as she explained what winning the Ray Kroc Award means to her. It’s an honor given to just 1% of all managers at McDonald’s restaurants in the world.
Montano works as general manager of the McDonald’s at 1520 W. Kennedy Blvd. It’s one of several restaurants in Hillsborough and Pasco counties owned and operated by the Hernandez family.
Jose and Vivian Hernandez surprised Montano with news of the award on Oct. 1, handing her a giant check for $2,500 and paperwork to attend the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention next year in Las Vegas.
“Relationship matters,” Montano said, crediting Jose. “Our relationship is so great that there is nothing that I wouldn’t do for him and this company. I’m very honored to work for him, his family – very happy, very surprised and we’ll continue to strive to do better.”
Jose said that Montano has worked at this restaurant for 15 years. He said Montano not only works hard but she motivates her team to surpass expectations.
“I have a saying,” Jose told Montano, “when you think things cannot be done, go watch those that are doing it. You break barriers. The standards that you set for yourself are beyond comprehension. As a result of that, we couldn’t be more proud of you.”
Jose and Vivian Hernandez had additional reasons to celebrate. Their daughter, Alex, took ownership of her fourth McDonald’s restaurant, and their son, Joey, became the fourth child in the family to become an owner/operator.
Vivian said she was impressed with her son’s thoughtful approach to taking his time learning not just the nuts and bolts of the business but also the people.
“If you know me, you know that I am someone who really needs to live it to experience it,” Joey said, noting he has worked at McDonald’s for about 12 years. “I feel more prepared as a result and ready to go.”
