From Teenage Crew Member to Owner of Six McDonald’s Restaurants
Terry Eagle’s remarkable McDonald’s journey began in South London in 1976, when he accepted a part-time position at age 16. Five decades later, he is celebrating a career that has taken him from serving customers behind the register to owning six restaurants across the region.
Eagle quickly demonstrated his potential. After starting as a crew member, he became a manager four years later, at just 19. He eventually pursued the opportunity to become a franchisee, opening his first McDonald’s restaurant in Camberwell and steadily expanding his business to six locations.
“Starting out as a crew member, I never could have imagined the journey ahead of me,” Eagle, now 65, says.
His accomplishments extend well beyond business growth. Eagle has championed employment opportunities for people with disabilities, partnered with local police on efforts to reduce crime and helped raise more than $200,000 for Ronald McDonald House UK.
His dedication to the community has earned him a commendation from the Metropolitan Police as well as three Parliamentary awards.
In July, Eagle’s team honored his 50 years with McDonald’s by organizing a surprise anniversary celebration. For the occasion, he wore a tie that former McDonald’s U.S. CEO Fred Turner had given him years earlier.
“For me, business has always been about more than just the numbers,” Eagle says. “It’s about people.”
