West Midlands businessman known as Mr McDonald’s is selling his empire of 26 restaurants

Doug Wright MBE, owner of 26 McDonald's outlets, is bidding farewell to the fast food company after 44 years.

It closes a chapter on a career that began on July 1, 1981 when Mr Wright, aged 16, took his first job at McDonald’s in Bedford as a 93p-an-hour cleaner.

He climbed the ranks within the McDonald’s corporation before fulfilling a dream in 2002 to take on his first franchised restaurant.

Over the next two decades, Wright Restaurants (T/A McDonald’s) mushroomed into one of the biggest employers in the West Midlands – with nearly 3,000 staff across 26 sites.

Business success also brought a string of personal awards including the Fred L Turner Golden Arch award - the highest accolade in the global McDonald’s network.

His work was also nationally recognised when he was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s final honours list in 2022 for his contribution to business and charities in the West Midlands.

Affectionately known across the region as Mr McDonald’s, he said: “I'm very proud of the business we've created and what it has contributed to the West Midlands economy,.

“I will miss the people – we have always acted as one big family.

“We’ve celebrated proud moments together and also grieved collectively because along the way we have lost some very decent people. 

“I joined McDonald’s initially for three weeks and it taught me life skills - something I hear time after time from both employees and their families. 

“From getting the opportunity to own one restaurant, the dream was then to get to two and we just kept going from there.

“But you have to step off the bus at some stage and my dad always said ‘be sure to orchestrate your own exit’.”

A golden thread of Mr Wright’s 23-year stint as a franchisee has been using his business as a vehicle to make a positive impact on society.

Inspired to give back to the community after suffering a life-changing car accident at the age of 20, Mr Wright has spearheaded a host of charitable endeavours.

As chairperson of the Ronald McDonald House Charity, he helped to raise millions for the cause. As a result, the facility has been able to accommodate nearly 17,000 families of children under care at nearby Birmingham Children’s Hospital. 

He has also sponsored and supported hundreds of initiatives in the community – from sports clubs to arts and educational projects.

He said: “The thing I am most proud of is how we have made a difference to so many communities and charities where we live and work. Our collective community work has been transformational and inspiring.

“One of the highlights has been through the staff lottery, we’ve been able to provide 9,500 nights for families to stay at Ronald McDonald House, as well as supporting the likes of Marie Curie, the Teenage Cancer Trust and Arrive Alive.”

While juggling business matters and his extensive community and charity work, Mr Wright has also devoted time to serving his region.

Mr McDonald's has also been a sheriff and a deputy

He is a long-standing patron and former board member of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands. He recently completed a one-year term as High Sheriff of the West Midlands, which he lists as “the highlight of my working career” - a role that saw him meet various members of the Royal Family when they visited the West Midlands.

On stepping away from McDonald’s, he will remain as chairperson of Kids’ Village, as the charity continues its mission to build the UK’s first holiday resort offering free breaks for critically ill children.

He said: “I want to say a huge thank you to the people of the West Midlands who have been wonderful to me and always backed my charitable endeavours."

Former West Midlands mayor Sir Andy Street was among those paying tribute to the businessman and philanthropist and all he has achieved. 

He said: “The news that Doug Wright has sold his McDonald’s franchises should be an inspiration for all budding entrepreneurs across the region. 

“Doug’s story of rising from humble origins to become the biggest franchisee in the country is one of graft and ingenuity, and is an example to us all. 

“Moreover, he’s used his success in business to help those less fortunate than him, in the Ronald McDonald House, the Kids’ Village, and throughout his time as High Sherriff. Doug is therefore the embodiment of the truth that business is a force for good.” 

Raj Kandola, acting deputy CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, described Mr Wright as "one of the West Midlands’ great business success stories" and he added: “His success with McDonald’s has not only contributed significantly to our regional economy, but also created a lasting impact in the communities he’s served.

“His commitment to giving back has been evident through initiatives like Ronald McDonald House and Kids’ Village, which we’ve been proud to support at the Chamber.

“On behalf of everyone at the Chamber, I extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Doug for his contribution to the local business community. We wish him every success in this next chapter.”

Of Mr Wright's 26 McDonald's restaurants, 16 will initially return to the corporation and the other 10 are being purchased by other franchisees.