Family affair: McDonald's more than a fast food chain for mother and daughter

May 8—The recognizable golden arches have always been more than a place to get a hamburger, french fries and a Coke for this mother and daughter duo.

McDonald's is a part of the family.

Michele Rice-Kirkwood owns and operates eight western Pennsylvania restaurants, one where her daughter, Brittany Neal, is general manager.

"Michele and Brittany are a great example of what sets McDonald's apart," said Charlie Tang Newberger, McDonald's field vice president via email. "At our core, McDonald's is all about family. Whether it's the families who visit us for a meal or the families who own and operate so many McDonald's restaurants, family is what makes McDonald's special."

Family ties

Family is a big reason why Rice-Kirkwood and Neal are a part of the restaurant group. The Rice family is from Akron, Ohio. Rice-Kirkwood's father, James Rice, started his career with the company at the age of 17 as a cashier.

He bought his first restaurant on Summer Street in Boston. Rice-Kirkwood and her siblings started working at McDonald's with her dad when she was old enough.

The family moved to Buffalo, N.Y. with McDonald's before landing in Pittsburgh in 2000. They originally bought four restaurants in the Pittsburgh region.

At one point they owned 16.

Rice-Kirkwood currently owns the locations in South Park, Fort Couch Road, Brentwood, Pleasant Hills, North Side, Mt. Oliver, West Mifflin and Scott.

Neal is general manager of the South Park location.

"Anywhere you go that you see one of these restaurants you just know what to expect," said Rice-Kirkwood. "McDonald's is consistent."

First job

When Neal was a teenager, her mother would take her to the McDonald's they owned on Steubenville Pike in Robinson, every weekend. After a few hours Neal would ask why she had to be there all day.

"I told her 'because you don't drive and I have to be here,'" said Rice-Kirkwood, whose son Christian, 28, takes care of the landscaping for the eight locations. "I liked having her there. It reminded me of when I would go to the McDonald's my dad owned."

Neal got her first job at McDonald's.

"I was so happy when I got that paycheck," said Neal, 30, from Munhall, who is in the process of becoming an owner/operator.

"I am so proud of Brittany," said Rice-Kirkwood, 50, of East Liberty. "She made her own choice to follow in my footsteps just like I chose to follow in my dad's footsteps. I love that. I am excited to see where this path takes her."

That path was one Rice-Kirkwood saw her father take. She said it wasn't always easy for him or her mom Edith Rice who she will spend time with Saturday for Mother's Day, but they overcame obstacles to take care of their family.

The legacy

Her dad, who died in May 2016, taught his daughter everything about the business. She said he had a vision. He was determined and resilient.

"He left a great legacy that I want to pass on," Rice-Kirkwood said.

She said his legacy includes not only providing jobs for employees, but helping them in life.

"My favorite part is mentoring young men and women and giving them opportunities to advance and reach their goals," she said. "Working at McDonald's is about more than taking a fast food order."

Rice-Kirkwood became an approved owner/operator on Sept. 4, 2003. She said she looked to her dad for the resources to take the next step and own a restaurant.

Rice-Kirkwood has approximately 400 employees.

As a business owner this past year during the pandemic it has been difficult to tell the regular customers that they aren't open in the dining room.

Neal agreed, saying she still sees some of the regulars come through the drive-thru and congregate in the parking lot. Staffing issues have been difficult like for many others in the restaurant business during the pandemic.

"Customers are ready to come back but we want to make sure it is safe for them and that we have enough staff," Rice-Kirkwood said. "We want to see them."

Working relationship

Neal said her mother is great work with and allows her daughter to make decisions.

"I love what I do," said Neal, who studied entrepreneurship and marketing at Kent State. "I have always wanted to own my own business."

When they aren't at work they try not to discuss McDonald's. They plan to spend Mother's Day on Sunday together.

Rice-Kirkwood said Neal always includes a personal note in a Mother's Day card.

"She writes the best messages," Rice-Kirkwood said.

"I look up to my mom," Neal said. "She is extremely inspirational and gives me good advice

She keeps it real and tells it like it is. She is an independent woman."

The two will have dinner together tomorrow.

At McDonald's?

"No, we will probably go out to a nice restaurant," Rice-Kirkwood said. "We love McDonald's, but I was thinking about somewhere like Eddie V's."

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact JoAnne at 724-853-5062, jharrop@triblive.com or via Twitter .