Working at McDonald鈥檚 was supposed to be a temporary gig, just something to tide Melissa Knight over until she found her path in life.
She was 17 years old and had never worked before, with most of her spare time occupied by the theatre program at her high school.
But Knight鈥檚 uncle Willy Quan had just opened a new McDonald鈥檚 location in Coquitlam 鈥� one of his many stores 鈥� and needed some extra hands.
So Knight signed up and began by working the front counter at the McDonald鈥檚 in Coquitlam Centre.
鈥淏ut after my first day, I fell in love with it, I was hooked,鈥� Knight said.
鈥淚t is all about the people 鈥� which I loved 鈥� and how we were focused on making people happier.
鈥�(And) I just loved the fast pace.鈥�
Fifteen years later, Knight is still going strong and last week (Sept. 2), the 32-year-old received a 2015 Outstanding Manager of the Year Award from McDonald鈥檚 Canada.
Knight said she was honoured and excited to earn the award.
鈥淚鈥檝e seen so many managers that I admire win this award during my time with McDonald鈥檚, so to be put in the same category as them is very humbling,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 love this company 鈥� so to be recognized as someone who represents what they stand for is really an honour.鈥�
After getting her start at her uncle鈥檚 franchise, Knight came to the Walnut Grove location in 2001 after her father Ron bought the Pioneer Plaza store.
鈥淲e were trained to make people鈥檚 days better and to me, that was such an interesting concept and that was exactly what I liked in life,鈥� she said about what has kept her going.
And she has worked her way up to the manager position.
Working for a parent can be a challenge in some situations but Knight loves the relationship they have.
鈥淚 think we are probably more honest with each other than the average manager and owner, but I think that ends up being a positive thing,鈥� she said.
Working in the restaurant business is a family affair for the Knights.
One of her brothers, Brad, is the manager at the new Gateway location while her sister Jessica Kegler is the first assistant manager.
Another brother, James, works part-time.
As for her long-term plans, Knight isn鈥檛 sure where she will end up.
Part of her would love to own her own franchise one day, but she also wouldn鈥檛 mind working in the McDonald鈥檚 Canada head office, training others.
鈥淢y passion has always been people. I like the positions where I can work with people,鈥� she explained.
鈥淢elissa has an enthusiasm for her people, guests and McDonald鈥檚 as a whole that is truly infectious,鈥� Ron Knight said.
