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From Australia’s top CEOs to the Prime Minister: 1 in 12 Aussies have worked at Macca’s
SEN • September 2nd, 2025 4:58 pm
From Australia’s top CEOs to the Prime Minister, well-known TV personalities, journalists and even influencers, 1 in 12 working Australians have something surprising in common – they’ve all worked at Macca’s!
This National Skills Week, Macca’s is celebrating the more than 1.6 million Aussies who leveraged their McDonald’s restaurant experience into career success - whether their career continued with the Golden Arches or beyond.
“We know that for many young Australians, Macca’s will be their first experience in the workforce - and the skills they gain stay with them for life,” says Brad McMullen, Chief Restaurant Officer for McDonald’s Australia, who started as a crew member and now leads operations for more than 1,050 Macca’s restaurants nationwide.
“The McDonald’s restaurant is an incredible training ground, and we invest more than $60 million every year into providing world-class learning and development. From day one, you’re learning new skills and gaining experience in everything from problem-solving to communication, teamwork and leadership.”
Macca’s alumni can be found just about anywhere, from running their own Macca’s restaurants as Franchisees, to making decisions in Australia’s top boardrooms, newsrooms, parliamentary and corporate offices, and even appearing on our TV screens and social media feeds.
Sydney based creator, host and producer, Mitchell Coombs, agrees that Macca’s was instrumental in their career journey.
“I loved working at Macca’s! I didn’t know it at the time, but it really helped me hit the ground running in the adult work force. Multi-tasking, teamwork, staying calm under pressure - I’d been doing it all since I was 14!”
Since opening its doors in 1971, McDonald’s Australia has earned a reputation as an industry-leader for providing great skills, training and development opportunities. Whether that’s on the job learning in the restaurants, online learning, face-to-face training at the Charlie Bell School of Management, Hamburger University, or training centres across the country.
But don’t just take Macca’s word for it. The company also commissioned new research to consult a network of Macca’s alumni, recruiters and parents to see whether they agreed that working under the Golden Arches sets people up for success.
The results revealed that 93% of alumni surveyed believe working at the Golden Arches sets people up for success, with 84% of Aussie parents believing it’s a great place to have your first job.
Recruiters couldn’t agree more with a whopping 87% agreeing working at McDonalds sets a candidate up for success, and 80% claim the skills learned on the job - from teamwork and communications skills to leadership, problem-solving and customer service, are transferable to any workplace.
Leading recruiter Tom Stanley from Morgan Consulting says working at McDonald’s isn’t just a rite of passage, it’s a launchpad.
“Having Macca’s on your CV instantly stands out. It shows you’ve cut your teeth in a fast-paced, high-performing, and people-first environment where teamwork, service, and reliability really matter,” says Stanley.
“I’ve had clients specifically ask for candidates with Macca’s experience because they know the standards are high and the training is best in class, regardless of the role. It’s one of those rare global brands where you build real-world career skills that translate across industries and job types.”
“I’m often in a room with other executives who can’t wait to reminisce about their first job at Macca’s, or I come across former crew who are now in careers as varied as engineering, law, journalism or entrepreneurs starting their own businesses, “said McMullen. “The fact that a career with Macca’s can take you anywhere is an incredible source of pride for our business, and we’ll continue to invest in training and development opportunities that open doors for our crew - both within the business and beyond.”
If you’re one of the 1 in 12 who’ve worn the uniform before, McDonald’s wants to hear from you. Share your story and help celebrate the power of the Golden Arches alumni.
And if you’ve ever considered a career with Macca’s – whether joining the crew for the first time or coming back for round two - why not check out the jobs and opportunities on offer in your community? With positions ranging from crew and crew coaches, shift, department and restaurant managers, maintenance and baristas, there’s a role and training opportunity to suit every lifestyle.
