Incredible McDonald's mailroom to boardroom story as former CEO dies, aged 80
Niamh Spence
Featured Image Credit: Michael L Abramson/Contributor/Getty Images
A man who worked his way up from the mailroom to be the top figure at fast food chain McDonald's has died, aged 80.
Michael R. Quinlan, the former CEO and chairman of McDonald’s, passed away last month on 22 September from natural causes after a period of poor health.
His son has confirmed the death of the once senior figure at the most famous fast food chain in the world and the story of his rise to fame has been one that sounds like something straight out of a business fairytale.
His career rise has even had fans calling it one of the ultimate 'from the bottom to the top' journeys in fast food history.
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Quinlan’s story began in 1963, when he was a scholarship student at Loyola University Chicago. Thanks to his roommate’s mother June Martino, who happened to be secretary to McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, he landed a part-time gig in the McDonald’s mailroom. His pay wasn't much to write home about at just $2 an hour.
But by the time he graduated in 1967, Quinlan had caught the attention of McDonald’s leadership.
Instead of heading to Yale or the University of Chicago Law School, where he’d been accepted, he decided to stay with the company. Working full-time in the purchasing department while taking night classes for a business degree, he built a reputation for relentless drive and curiosity.
Former assistant Donna Currin told the Chicago Sun Times: "Fred Turner, who was McDonald’s CEO at the time, saw something in Mike.
"They wanted him to learn every part of the business - and he did, from frying fries to washing windows."
That hands on approach became part of Quinlan’s legacy, as Currin added: "There was no job too small. That’s how Ray Kroc worked, and Mike lived that."
By 1982, Quinlan, who became affectionately known as 'Q' by colleagues, was president of McDonald’s. Five years later, he took over as CEO, and by 1990 he’d become chairman.
Under his leadership, McDonald’s exploded in size, expanding from 47 countries to 106. Sales more than doubled from $14.3 billion to $32 billion, and the number of restaurants grew from 9,911 to over 22,000.
He even oversaw the opening of the first McDonald’s in Moscow in 1990, with his wife Marilyn (who famously had 'MCMUFFN' on her licence plate) by his side.
Though he was a quiet leader who avoided the limelight, his impact was enormous. On his office wall hung his personal motto of 'Never be satisfied' and on his desk sat two massive Rolodexes filled with names like Warren Buffett and Michael Jordan.
Currin said he was 'McDonald’s through and through'.
Even in later life, she recalled 'he always wanted to know what the company stock closed at'.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski honoured him in a statement after his death, writing: "Let us honor his memory by continuing to lead with the same care, commitment, and courage that defined his remarkable journey."
Outside of work, Quinlan never forgot where he came from and he donated millions to Loyola University and his old high school, Fenwick.
In 2012, Loyola renamed its business school after him following a $40 million donation, one of several major gifts he gave to support education.
"He always said Loyola gave him more than he could ever give back," his son shared in thr statement announcing his death.
Quinlan’s wife of 54 years, Marilyn, passed away in 2020.
He is survived by his son Michael, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.