Meet Jimmy Williams

A McDonald's Owner/Operator who lives his life to serve others.

As a teenager, Jimmy began serving at the front counter in a McDonald’s restaurant in Granite City, Illinois. His experience at McDonald’s taught him the value of hard work and laid a foundation of experiences that would one day lead him to opportunities he could not have imagined at the time. Jimmy credits his earliest mentor, Dr. Ben Davis, for guiding him along his journey to becoming a McDonald's Owner/Operator.

After graduating from McDonald’s Hamberger University, Jimmy enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a pilot. His military experience lit a passion for teamwork and mentorship.

In 1996, several St. Louis businessmen who learned about Jimmy’s desire to own a franchise helped him join the McDonald’s training program. Two years later, Jimmy owned the same McDonald’s in Granite City, where he used to work the front counter.

Since then, his franchise has grown to 25 stores in Missouri and Illinois with over 1,500 employees.

“The Granite City restaurant is much more than a place to eat. It represents a hub of the community, a place where people not only get a cup of coffee, but they take the time to see each other and say hello to one another,” says Jimmy.

Jimmy continues his service to the overall bi-state area through his involvement in Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis and other community boards. He and his wife, Janet, have been involved with RMHC for 20 years through various roles on committees and the board of directors, including the Let’s Make Room Capital Campaign Committee for the new St. Louis City Ronald McDonald House. Jimmy has also worked to implement Round-Up in his stores, encouraging customers and crew members to support RMHC as well.

“Raising awareness about the need for RMHC is one of my favorite parts of the RMHC family. When people understand the importance of the mission, they want to give. They want to support families with seriously ill children who need a temporary place to stay. I’m proud to be a part of this effort,” says Jimmy. “Our crews say that they understand the purpose of their efforts through the Round-up program. Their efforts mean more families can be helped!”

From his outstanding leadership effort, Jimmy received the Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award, named after the person who, along with Ray Kroc, grew McDonald’s from a small chain of restaurants into today’s global brand. The award is presented biennially to the top 1% of owners/operators globally who place customers and people first, lead with integrity, promote inclusion, and passionately give back to the community.

“This award is such an honor. Once again, I’m thankful for mentors who gave their time and guidance along my journey. I’m grateful for that spirit of generosity. ?Whether it’s spending time with youth in the Metro area or giving advice to first-time entrepreneurs, I enjoy passing along lessons I’ve learned over the years and listening to the stories of those I mentor,” says Jimmy. “The award also affirms the importance of teamwork and another key strategy: putting customers first!”

We are grateful to have such outstanding leadership in the RMHC family through Jimmy. He continues to invest in his crew, the next generation of entrepreneurs, his community, and the families served at the Ronald McDonald House. We believe Janet summed it up perfectly:

“When you think about the mission of RMHC, it’s enough to make you want to get involved. To see the smiles on the faces of parents and their children and to know that we’ve made a difference. It’s what we would want for our own families.”