The service industry can sometimes be quite harsh. Employees have shared some horror stories of long hours, rude customers, poor wages, and indifferent bosses.
But in at least one case for employees at a McDonald’s in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, “indifferent” was not a way they’d describe their boss. In fact, “caring” is a much more accurate description.
The McDonald’s in question had been temporarily closed for a few months for remodeling. While it has recently reopened for business, the amazing part of this story is that the long-time owner of the McDonald’s, Tony Philiou, made sure that each employee continued to get paid.
According to WPTV, Philiou explained, “My employees helped me — without them, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
And that is so heartwarming to know there are caring bosses out there.
Philiou’s beginnings as an owner started way back in 1947 when he first emigrated to the US from Greece at just 15 years old. He then served in the Korean War after which he got married, got a full-time job in a factory, and went on to buy a house. The house he bought needed renovation, so Philiou went in search of a second job.
Luckily, he didn’t have to look too far, as his home was right across the street from a newly-opened McDonald’s on Mayfield Road. It was in 1962 that Philiou started his second job at the McDonald’s, earning $0.90 per hour.
As Philiou said, “The rest is history. Nothing matters to me other than being here, because I belong here.”
Spanning a career of 60 years, Philiou worked hard as he rose up the ranks, going from a part-time employee to a role in management, and eventually becoming the owner. No matter how high he climbed, he stayed humble and caring towards his employees.
According to WPTV, one of his employees, Mary Conti, said, “He treats you like family no matter how long he’s known you. It could be one day, it could be 30 days, it could be three years. He loves the people that work here.”
Another employee, Ed Kocsis who was hired by Philiou at just 15, is now the general manager. Kcosis said, “It wasn’t the plan originally. It was a job to get me through high school and through college. When I graduated from college, Tony made me an offer and it worked out very well.”
Philiou is now in his 90s, and he’s looked back on his cut of the American Dream saying, “Only in this country can this happen.”
And it’s so nice that he hasn’t forgotten his employees through it all.
Watch the video down below: