Monica family invested in local community

MANSFIELD, Ohio — Members of the Monica family firmly believe in the idea of supporting the community, which, in turn, has impacted how they run their nine McDonald’s restaurants.

“We try to keep things local,” Jeff Monica, owner-operator of four McDonald’s restaurants in the area, said of the family business. Fellow McDonald’s restaurant owner-operators in the Monica family include Jeff’s brother, Larry Monica, and mother, Shirley Monica.

“Keeping things local” has been one of the Monicas’ missions since Shirley and her husband, Stewart Monica, bought three Mansfield McDonald’s restaurants in 1978. They used locally-sourced ingredients and were recognized for their charitable contributions to the community.

“Some of the things I’m most proud of is my parents got the Ronald Award–that’s for giving back to your community. And then they achieved the Ray Crock Award [in 1993], which is only given to five owner-operators in the world every year for their dedication to McDonald’s and how they donate back to the communities and represent the McDonald’s brand,” Jeff said.

Having learned from Stewart and Shirley’s example, the Monicas continue to support the local community. One way they do so is by helping various organizations apply for grants offered by the Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

“The community’s always been great. They give to our Ronald McDonald [House Charities’] boxes, and so we go out and help get grants for a lot of different people in the area,” Jeff said.

Recently, the Mansfield YMCA was awarded a grant in the amount of $12,780 for new childcare equipment. There were also $500 “mini” grants given this year to Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center, The Salvation Army, Downtown Mansfield, Inc., Little Buckeye Children’s Museum, The New Store, Richland Carrousel Park and Blessed to Run.  

Additionally, the Monica family has personally donated to a variety of school programs, the Ashland University Dwight Schar College of Nursing & Health Sciences and The New Store in Mansfield, which provides clothing, shoes and school supplies to children in need. They’ve also sponsored events like the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program and local parades.

Their support for the local community is also showcased by the manner in which they’ve decorated some of their restaurants. For example, the Bellville and Loudonville restaurants have pictures of landmarks unique to those areas displayed on the walls.

“It’s important that you give back and support the local community,” said Jeff.

Background on the business

Paul Cromley, Larry and Jeff’s step-grandfather, owned two McDonald’s restaurants in Mentor and one in Eastlake in the 60s. “At that time, the Vietnam War was going on, and that’s when they couldn’t get enough men to work, so they asked my mom, Shirley Monica. She was one of the first woman workers ever at McDonald’s,” noted Jeff.

Later, Shirley and Stewart Monica became owner-operators of a McDonald’s franchise in Willoughby. Then, in 1978, they moved to Mansfield and purchased three McDonald’s restaurants.

“Since 1978, we have grown to nine restaurants in our organization–seven in Richland County, one in Crawford County and one in Ashland County,” said Jeff Monica.

Each of the Monicas have worked at the family business at one point or another. Even Jeff’s six-year-old granddaughter has gotten in on the action. “She goes to the restaurant on some weekends and works the drive-thru window, hands out change to people, helps clean the lobby and talks to all of the locals–they always ask me about her,” he said. 

Larry and Jeff Monica started out in the business at a young age, too, and worked in every position.

Jeff Monica said they currently range between 400 and 500 employees a year among all of the restaurants, noting, “Every one of my general managers have probably been with me more than 10 years, and I know five of them have been longer than 15 years. My supervisory staff all have more than 30 years with me.”