He started at McDonald’s as a teenager in 1976. Now, 50 years later, this U.K. man owns six restaurants

A man in the U.K. who began his 50-year career with McDonald’s as a teenager in 1976 now owns and operates six restaurants across South London.

According to U.K. outlet MyLondon, Terry Eagle was just 15 when he walked into a McDonald’s in South London looking for his first job. At the time, McDonald’s was still relatively new in the U.K.—the fast-food chain had opened its first British restaurant just two years earlier.

Eagle started out doing the jobs familiar to generations of McDonald’s employees: serving customers, working the till and preparing orders.


By the time he was 19, he had been promoted to manager. What began as a teenage job eventually became a five-decade career, taking Eagle from the restaurant floor to franchise ownership.

Today, Eagle, 65, owns and operates six McDonald’s restaurants across South London.

From teenage employee to franchise owner

Eagle eventually pursued a franchise opportunity and opened his first restaurant in Camberwell.

But for him, running a business has never been solely about profits. The people working in his restaurants—and the communities around them—have become an important part of his career.

Over the years, Eagle has championed employment opportunities for people with disabilities and worked with local police to help tackle crime.

His community work has earned him a commendation from the Metropolitan Police, along with three Parliamentary awards.

He has also partnered with the charity Spiral to help young people find employment and has raised more than $200,000 for Ronald McDonald House UK.

His connection with the organization extends to the local Camberwell House, where he regularly donates Christmas trees and toys for families staying there.

A 50-year career celebrated by his team

Eagle's remarkable milestone was celebrated in July when his team surprised him with a special 50th-anniversary celebration at his Brixton restaurant.

There was also a fitting piece of history in what he wore that day: a tie gifted to him by Fred Turner, the former CEO of McDonald’s U.S.

For Eagle, however, the milestone is not simply about looking back at five decades with the same company.

He credits the people around him for helping make the journey possible.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my incredible team,” he said. “This achievement reflects the continuous support I have received, and I couldn’t have had this amazing career without them.”

What started as a teenage job in 1976 has now become a 50-year journey—from serving customers behind the counter to running six McDonald’s restaurants of his own.