From fry station to franchise legacy: The McDonald’s journey.
When Gert Marais first joined McDonald’s South Africa, the golden arches were still a dream taking shape on local soil. Today, as one of the country’s most seasoned owner-operators, Marais reflects on a journey that started in 1995, long before South Africans had tasted their first Big Mac at home.
Marais’s story with McDonald’s began before the brand even opened its first restaurant in the country. As part of a pioneering group of training managers sent to New Zealand in 1995, he played a vital role in bringing the brand’s globally acclaimed operational excellence to South Africa.
“I was still a student when I started selling boerewors rolls on weekends,” he recalls with a laugh. “Looking back, I think entrepreneurship has always been in me.”
After returning from New Zealand, Marais helped launch McDonald’s first South African restaurant in Cape Town, where he managed two fry stations on a day that saw cars lined up for kilometres. Five years later, in 2001, he made history as the first South African employee to become a franchise owner.
Today, he owns five restaurants across the Western Cape, three in the southern suburbs and two along the West Coast, including the first-ever McDonald’s in that region.
For Marais, success has never been about personal gain but about impact and longevity. “My focus now is on legacy,” he says, referring to his son Francois, who joined the business three years ago and now serves as area manager.
“Not all my children will work in the business, but for Francois, it’s always been a dream. Seeing him step into leadership is something special.”
Marais has witnessed McDonald’s evolution first-hand, from the early Grill Direct system to today’s tech-driven Best Burger operations. “If we had stayed the same, we’d have disappeared into insignificance,” he reflects. “You have to invest, adapt and stay relevant.”
Beyond business growth, community involvement lies at the heart of Marais’ philosophy. Through partnerships with schools, sports teams, and organisations like MES, an initiative that empowers people to rebuild their lives, he continues to give back to the communities that support his restaurants.
“You have to be the Mr McDonald’s of your community,” he says proudly.
When asked what drives him as a leader, Marais doesn’t hesitate: “People. They’re my biggest asset. You must be fair, consistent and treat them with respect. Focus on impacting lives for the better and success will follow.”
As McDonald’s South Africa celebrates 30 years, Marais’ message is simple yet heartfelt: “Thank you, McDonald’s, for the opportunity to grow, to serve and to leave a legacy that will continue for generations.”
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