Celebrating 30 Years of McDonald’s South Africa: Wayne Katz

In 1995, while South Africa celebrated its Rugby World Cup victory, Wayne Katz was thousands of kilometres away in New Zealand, stepping into the unknown. What began as a casual application to an “international quick service restaurant” became a 30-year career with McDonald’s — built on resilience, leadership, and a passion for training others.

“I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Wayne recalls. “I was 24, had a passport, and a sense of adventure. I had no idea I’d one day become a franchisee, lead large teams, and be part of building a brand loved across South Africa.”

Wayne took his first step toward success at the bottom — cleaning, hosting birthday parties, accepting deliveries, and, of course, making Big Macs and fries. But he quickly discovered that training was the golden thread of McDonald’s. “You don’t need a master’s degree to start here. What you need is drive, passion, and the willingness to learn. If your foundation is solid, you can build anything.”

That belief shaped his philosophy: the best leaders are those who train others to lead. A mentor once told him, “If you keep everything to yourself, you’ll never grow.” Wayne embraced that, mentoring crew and management teams, passing on invaluable knowledge and expertise. One of his proudest stories is of Miranda Arendse, who started as a crew member under his leadership and later became operations manager.

“Training is the key to sustainability. We don’t just serve food—we develop people. And when people grow, the brand grows.”

Over three decades, Wayne has witnessed McDonald’s South Africa usher in the digital age of data analytics, self-ordering kiosks, and mobile order pay for an improved customer experience. Yet, one thing remains unchanged: McDonald’s is a people-first business.

With over 15 000 employees, Wayne describes McDonald’s SA as a local force for good. From supporting the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, providing employment and uplifting communities, the brand’s impact is tangible. “Every time we open a new restaurant, it’s more than a business. It’s an opportunity for jobs for local small businesses and young people starting their careers.”

Wayne’s leadership philosophy is simple: train well, empower others, lead with heart, and never stop learning. After 30 years, he’s looking for new ways to give back by speaking to students, entrepreneurs, and youth. “Most people only see the Golden Arches. They don’t realise we have entire teams in supply chain, construction and development, restaurant operations, and marketing. It’s a universe of opportunity. I want young people to know -there’s a place for you here.”

Despite global travels, which include attending the Fifa World Cup in Germany, a trip to South Korea to implement McDelivery, and learning about McCafé in Australia, Wayne’s heart is firmly rooted in South Africa. He shows pride when speaking of his crew, his community, and his two soccer-loving sons who had their first ice cream at McDonald’s Sandown. “McDonald’s is a fun brand. People are what make the brand special. That’s where the magic lies.”

Wayne Katz is proof that with training, vision, and heart, any young South African can go from crew member to leader, from local beginnings to global impact.