LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tom Burrell, a McDona;d’s owner-operator with restaurants located throughout Central Kentucky has been honored with the esteemed Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award. This accolade is the pinnacle of recognition within the McDonald’s system, illuminating exemplary achievements and outstanding service.
Burrell’s leadership as an owner-operator has been instrumental in shaping the Burrell Family McDonald’s brand across locations in Bardstown, Campbellsville, Cecilia, Elizabethtown, Glasgow, Glendale, Greensburg, Hardinsburg, Hodgenville, Lebanon, Leitchfield, Munfordville, and Springfield, Ky. Overseeing 1,120 employees, the Burrell establishments reflect commitment to community.
Since its inception in 1978, the Golden Arch Awards have been the hallmark of excellence, awarded to around 1% of owner-operators worldwide. This year, Burrell joins an elite group of just 40 owner-operators globally to receive this honor, a testament to his unwavering commitment to quality, service, and team engagement.
“Tom embodies every aspect of our McDonald’s Values. From establishing a Culture of Care in his restaurants to empowering his teams to get involved in the communities they serve, Tom sets the bar when it comes to representing our brand,” said Lauren Schultz, McDonald’s Columbus (Ohio) field vice president. “He makes it his personal mission to get to know his crew and his customers, and it pays off in his results.”
Burrell’s recognition stems not just from his operational excellence but also from the significant impact he has fostered within his team and restaurant communities, Schultz said.
“It’s truly an honor to receive the Fred L. Turner award on behalf of our Team,” Burrell said. “This award is a reflection of the outstanding group of folks I get to work with, of the consistent emphasis they’ve placed on serving people in and through our restaurants, and of the great impact they’ve had in our communities. None of this would be possible without such an incredible team.”
The Turner award underscores the pivotal role Burrell Family McDonald’s Restaurants play in enriching community life. It reflects commitment to fostering an environment where excellence, community service and innovation flourish. Every restaurant is not just a place of dining, but a space where community is fostered, local initiatives are supported, careers blossom and contribution is made to economic growth and job creation in the community.
The award ceremony is scheduled for April 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.
For the Burrells, McDonald’s represents a family tradition going back to Tom’s father and continuing today with numerous family members, including brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews, serving as operators. Tom’s daughter, Audrey Burrell McIntosh, is director of marketing and communications, and son-in-law Scott McIntosh is general counsel.
