Ama, like many franchise owners, knows that most people don’t think of the franchise as a family-owned business. They only see McDonald’s as providing entry level jobs, unaware of the path to owner operator, which allows Ama to provide that opportunity to her children as well.

The franchise has Archways to Opportunity, where funds are given to members of the McDonald’s family to help them pursue their education. Last year, they gave over $100,000 to their workers, allowing them to complete a high school diploma or receive a college degree.

“There is so much more to McDonald’s,” Ama says. “It is a brand that focuses on empowering our people and providing opportunity.

Ama Balde is a local business owner, and she is Open for Opportunity.