Global distinction

Global recognition as an outstanding business leader and community supporter is a long way from Sam Maharaj’s high school job as a McDonald’s crew member.

But the McDonald’s franchisee is delighted that he and his wife Angela have just been announced recipients of the McDonald’s prestigious Golden Arch Award.

The award, which goes to the top 1% of franchisees who deliver a superior customer experience and passionately give back to their communities, is presented biennially at the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention. Sam and Angela will receive theirs at the Orlando convention in April.

After working at McDonald’s as a school boy, Sam then went back part time while studying at university and climbed his way up the ladder to Director of Operations for McDonald’s New Zealand before becoming a franchisee eight years ago.

He and Angela now own five McDonald’s restaurants across Auckland including Royal Oak, Dressmart, Penrose, St Lukes and the newly-opened Balmoral restaurant.

“My wife and I are ecstatic to receive such an award,” says Sam. “This is a huge honour. We are really fortunate to have great people working for us that look after our business and our customers. The support from our team has been fantastic together with the Head Office staff, suppliers and the various community groups we work with!”

McDonald’s NZ managing director Patrick Wilson describes the couple as “truly amazing ambassadors of the brand.”

“Aside from their outstanding business leadership and performance, Sam and Angela give so much back to their community from sponsoring sports coaches to their long time work with Ronald McDonald House Auckland.”

The Golden Arch Award is the latest of a long list of accolades for the Maharaj family including recognition at the 2011 Indian Business Achievement awards, the Hugh Morris People award, the Mac Black status in 2007 and 2010 for consistently being rated as a high performing franchisee and the Winner of Westfields St Lukes Top in Category award.