While the economy remains challenging, McDonald’s continues to grow with business opportunities in Southern Nevada. James Vance, McDonald’s franchise owner and operator and founder of Team Vance Management, opened his seventh McDonald’s with a ribbon-cutting on July 8.
The newest location showcases modern design and cutting-edge technology, employing 70 people and bringing the total number of Team Vance Management employees to more than 500. The new McDonald’s restaurant is located to the south of the recently opened off-Strip Otonomus Hotel, an all-suite, apartment and hotel hybrid from developers Growth Holdings.
For more than 30 years, Vance has been a franchisee, expanding his operations across Southern Nevada. Vance has shown a strong commitment to excellence in all aspects of his business, evidenced by his tenure as a past president of the Greater Las Vegas McDonald’s Operator Association and by receiving multiple awards from the McDonald’s Corp.
Vance’s career in the restaurant industry began when he worked as a waiter while attending college. He decided that becoming a McDonald’s franchise allowed him to partner with a well-known brand while owning his own company. He would buy his first McDonald’s franchise in 1995 in Colorado after training in the McDonald’s system for three years.
Team Vance hires, trains and promotes from within the company. They offer training and support to those who want to advance within the company.
“When we hire a person, we give them the tools for success and those who stay have become very successful. They may start their journey with learning the basics or come to us with management experience. They own their own homes, raise families and enjoy the best that life has to offer. Our management team has a combined experience of over 300 years at McDonald’s. We work hard, and we also love what we do.”
One of the tools given to staff members of Team Vance is the philosophy developed by the company, named the Power of V. This includes:
• Vision: See the big picture.
• Virtue: Be your best self.
• Veracity: Sweat the small stuff.
• Vibes: Bring the love.
• Victory: Play to win.
In celebration of the opening of its newest McDonald’s location, Team Vance Management presented a donation of $15,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas (RMHC) for the newest Ronald McDonald House campus. Team Vance Management has invested countless hours and contributed thousands of dollars to various nonprofits, including RMHC.
“Our favorite charity is the Ronald McDonald House Charities. We recently opened our second home in Las Vegas, thanks to generous support from the McDonald’s franchisees in our community and many other donors. Our purpose is to care for families with children who are ill or injured. In our Ronald McDonald Homes, families can be together, enjoy home-cooked meals and receive support from our incredible staff and volunteers. All of this to strengthen families and promote healing of our children,” Vance said.
The secret to Team Vance’s success is, “The heart of what we do every day is at the point of interaction between Team Vance and each of our guests. We are always looking for ways to improve our food, value and customer experience. People are at the core of what we do, and becoming a franchisee has connected me to some incredible people,” Vance said.
HOW TO BECOME A FRANCHISEE
According to McDonalds.com/us/en-us/us-franchising.html, there are several requirements to become a McDonald’s franchisee. There is a recommended investment minimum of $750,000 in non-borrowed, unencumbered personal funds since McDonald’s does not allow partnerships or investors.
McDonald’s requires each franchisee to work in a restaurant and learn every aspect of the business, from cleaning the parking lot, restrooms, kitchen and back of the house before moving on to the business aspect of owning a franchise. Franchisees attend Hamburger University in Chicago.
The website says to enter the Franchisee Training Program, a potential owner/operator must do the following:
• Divest of all existing business interests.
• Devote full time and best efforts to operating the business, including exhibiting personal management, financial management, fiscal responsibility to reinvest, and leadership in the restaurant business.
• Commit to an extensive six to 12-month training program that includes your ability to work several different work shifts, depending on restaurant operating hours.
• Relocate based on the availability of restaurants.
