The manager at the McDonald’s here recently won the McDonald’s Canada 2015 Outstanding Manager of the Year award.
This is Joel Sider’s fourth win but it’s his first time since becoming manager in Fergus.
“I look at the team that is with me and I win it with and if anything it’s a recognition … (that) all together we can really accomplish some excellent goals because it’s not something that you can win unless you have good people working with you.”
He said the team he’s working with now is special because every member brings something different to the table.
“They bring a different skill set and what it comes down to is getting people into the area that is a strength of theirs and ensure that they have the resources and support to get done what you’ve asked them to do,” he said.
Sider began working for McDonald’s 21 years ago as a cook because the company provided a flexible schedule and he could manage his work, social and school life easily. Opportunities arose and he worked up to the manager position 12 years ago.
He’s been in Fergus for about two years and thinks the location has a lot of potential.
“It’s an excellent location being on Highway 6, it’s in a growing community which is a big deal, we love it that we have new residences right across the road, it’s fantastic,” he said. “It’s fun when you’re in a store that has a lot of growth potential.”
However, he also said there are challenges like limited floor space and storage.
“But the fun is okay, wow, we’ve got customers, how can we make them want to choose us all the time?” he said. “It’s a nice situation to be in.”
One of the reasons he enjoys working for the company is the personal interaction.
“There’s a lot of people always and so that’s something that I really enjoy, that keeps me engaged.”
He also likes working at McDonald’s because the company is an industry leader.
Sider said valuing his employees is important and he provides incentives to reach daily goals that helps keep the atmosphere fresh and new.
“[Joel] is always very positive and motivates his team to do their utmost on each shift,” said John Moseley-Williams, Fergus McDonald’s franchisee. “Thanks to the positive leadership he provides and his strong belief in the people he manages, Joel is an integral part of the growth and ongoing development of his team.”
Sider also said that he values his customers.
“McDonald’s has a lot of regular guests,” Sider said. “I would say that in any average morning … I probably recognize 60 per cent of the people in the restaurant.”
He said future plans to change the interior of the restaurant will make the guest experience more user friendly.
