Q&A: McDonald’s employee retiring after working her way up
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When Marietta's first McDonald's opened on Dec. 21, 1976, Teresa Dye reported for duty.
She's been doing the same for the last 41 years, as the longest running employee of the Glendale Road restaurant.
That will change on Wednesday, Dye's last day before retirement.
It will be an emotional shift, said Laurie Strahler, owner and operator of the McDonald's, which was originally owned by her parents. Strahler was the store manager on that 1976 opening day.
"Teresa has been such a rock for us," Strahler said. "Talk about someone with dedication…she never, ever, ever, ever missed work. She's been here nonstop for 41 and a half years, through thick and thin."
Dye said her career started waiting in a line with about 200 people to apply for a job at the new McDonald's.
Question: How did you first get started at McDonald's? How old were you?
Answer: I was probably 21. I had an interview over at the Y. I was one of those people in line.
Q: What made you interested in the job?
A: I just needed a job at that time. I had worked other places but didn't have a job right then. I didn't expect then to be here for 41 years. It just turned out that way.
Q: What did you find you enjoyed about the work?
A: It was something different every day. You never know what's going to happen next.
Q: Do you like that interaction with a lot of people?
A: I was kind of shy at first but it got better. Now I do.
Q: What position did you start in and how have you moved up over the years?
A: I started as a crew person, working in the grill area. I moved up to floor supervisor and then swing manager. I'm assistant manager now.
Q: Was there a certain point when you realized this had turned into a career and this was where you were always going to work?
A: I never thought about it. I just came to work every day and tried to do the best that I could, went home and came back the next day to do it again.
Q: You said you like the variety of the job. What else are your favorite aspects?
A: The people. It's a great crew. They're always very nice and friendly and we like to have fun but work hard also.
Q: Have you had a lot of regular customers over the years?
A: Oh, yes. There are people who come in every day.
Q: What's changed the most over the last few decades?
A: The technology…there was no plastic back then. Now that's how everyone pays and it's easier. We didn't have a drive-thru at the beginning.
Our uniforms were bright green polyester with white nurse's shoes. Those were bright.
Q: What's been the most challenging part of the job?
A: The most challenging thing is probably keeping the crew motivated to wait on the customers at the fast pace that they expect.
Q: How have you been able to do that?
A: I try to keep upbeat. If you do, then they're upbeat and it keeps the customers happy.
Q: Anyone who works in customer service sometimes has to deal with people who aren't very nice. How have you done that?
A: You kind of just grin and bear it. Then you do whatever it takes to please them and have them come back again.
Q: What are some of the skills you think you've learned working for all these years at McDonald's?
A: How to deal with people, there's some math to do, inventory, making change. Without the registers we have now, many people couldn't even make change.
Q: What do you think you'll miss the most after you retire?
A: I'll miss the people. I'm sure I'll be in, though, to see them.
Q: What do you plan to do with some of your free time?
A: Spend time with friends and family. I have elderly parents who need me.
Q: What's your favorite thing on the menu?
A: Having a big breakfast is my favorite.
Kate York conducted this interview.
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Teresa Dye
¯ Age: 63.
¯ Residence: Marietta.
¯ Education: Marietta High School graduate.
¯ Occupation: Assistant manager of the Glendale Road McDonald's.
¯ Family: Parents Gerald and Mary; Brother, Jerry.
Source: Teresa Dye.