When it comes to customer service, Katie Johnson wants to make sure each McDonald’s guest has the best experience possible. Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

Courtesy Corporation named Johnson the 2018 General Manager of the Year. For nine years, Johnson has been employed with McDonald’s and mostly supervises the Oakland Avenue location in Austin as well as the McDonald’s location on 14th Street Northwest as the general manager.

When Johnson was recognized as the recipient of the award, she was stunned and speechless.

“I was nominated for it, and I got really nervous,” she said. “I’m really surprised. There were a lot of people I was up against for this award who have been working at the company longer than I have. It was a great honor to be getting this award.”

The Manager of the Year Award is presented to a general manager who consistently exceeds Courtesy Corporation’s standards in the areas of people development, profit and loss controls, customer satisfaction, staffing and retention, training, marketing, leadership and community involvement.

Aside from Johnson receiving this award, the Oakland Avenue location was also honored as an outstanding store in the top 10 percent of Courtesy Corporation, which is one of the largest owners and operators of the McDonald’s fast food chains with 62 stores.

“I’m really excited for our team,” she said. “Over the years, our store won different awards. This past year we had increased sales, retention was really good for employees and staffed other stores. We have managers staying with us and advancing their careers at McDonald’s.”

A career in customer service

Never thinking about a career with McDonald’s, Johnson went to Winona State University to play basketball and was in search of a summer job. For three years, she worked at McDonald’s during the season as a full-time employee as a closer, opener and crew trainer.

“When I graduated college, I went into sales and had left McDonald’s,” she said. “When I was looking for more flexible jobs, I was looking at Austin when they started to rebuild the McDonald’s there and I applied. I thought with my business and marketing degree, I would like to run a restaurant.”

Now having worked at McDonald’s for nine years, Johnson garnered more experience and enjoys her time helping her team grow in leadership skills. As an athlete, Johnson knows the importance of committing to a team and working together with others in order to accomplish a goal, whether it’s on the court, or serving customers who walk in through the restaurant doors every day during the week. She knows that wherever she goes, representing her workplace and upholding high standards is always a priority.

“I’m a coach, a role model and I’m a teacher,” she said. “I wear different hats and I’ll be there for my employees. I try to treat them well, so I’m strict. I try to run a tight shift and get to know each one of them and while talking to customers too.”

Johnson’s next goal for her store location would be to receive the Ray Kroc Award, which is given to a McDonald’s restaurant that is within the top one percent. She’d also like to work toward becoming an operation manager, who supervises between 16 to 18 stores.

“It’s a great experience,” Johnson said. “It’s not just a place to get food, it’s a business and I want to be there for my employees and my customers. I want them to have a good experience.”