Kendall (Kenny) Stewart
Taylorivlle,IL
Summary
Transformational leader with 40 years of experience in the McDonald's system, progressing from Crew Person to District Manager overseeing four locations. Awarded the 2017 Ray Kroc Award and a Hamburger University graduate. Expertise in team development, operational execution, and brand standards fosters effective communication and problem-solving, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
District Manager
McDonald's
01.2018 - Current
- Lead and support four McDonald's locations, providing direction to restaurant leadership teams and ensuring alignment with company priorities, customer expectations, and brand standards.
- Translate company initiatives and strategic priorities into clear, actionable direction for restaurant teams.
- Collaborated with restaurant leaders and employees to identify challenges and implement solutions that enhanced operational effectiveness.
- Coach and develop restaurant leaders and employees, strengthening leadership capabilities and supporting continued professional growth.
- Maintain consistent execution of McDonald's brand standards and customer experience across four locations.
- Communicate complex priorities clearly and effectively across multiple teams and leadership levels.
- Led teams through changes in technology, products, promotions, procedures, and customer expectations.
- Leveraged four decades of firsthand customer experience to understand consumer expectations and identify actionable opportunities for improving customer satisfaction.
- Monitor multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining focus on people, customers, operations, and business objectives.
- Built collaborative relationships with restaurant leaders and teams to foster accountability and engagement, driving successful execution of initiatives.
General Manager
McDonald's
01.2004 - 01.2018
- Led restaurant operations, employees, customer experience, and business performance while maintaining McDonald's standards.
- Developed and coached employees and managers to create future leaders and enhance team effectiveness.
- Implemented company initiatives, promotions, operational changes, and new procedures while ensuring consistent execution.
- Managed multiple priorities in a high-volume environment while maintaining standards for service, quality, cleanliness, and customer satisfaction.
- Identified operational challenges and developed proactive solutions to address them.
- Built strong relationships with employees, customers, and managers to foster collaboration and improve stakeholder engagement.
1st Assistant Manager
McDonald's
01.1998 - 01.2004
- Supported restaurant leadership in daily operations, developed employees, enhanced customer service, and executed company initiatives.
- Supervised and coached employees, ensuring adherence to operational and brand standards.
- Assisted with training and promotions, implemented new procedures, and aligned with business priorities.
- Enhanced leadership skills through team collaboration and project management.
2nd Assistant Manager
McDonald's
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Assisted with training, scheduling, customer service, and operational execution to enhance team performance.
- Supported management and daily operations in high-volume customer environment to ensure smooth service delivery.
- Maintained McDonald's service and brand standards to provide customers with a consistent experience.
Certified Swing Manager
McDonald's
01.1993 - 01.1996
- Earned Swing Manager certification and assumed increased responsibility for restaurant operations and team leadership.
- Supervised crew members to maintain high service, quality, and cleanliness standards.
- Trained and supported employees, resolving customer and operational issues to enhance the service experience.
Crew Person
McDonald's
08.1986 - 01.1993
- Started career as Crew Person, gaining firsthand experience in customer service, restaurant operations, and teamwork aligned with McDonald's standards.
- Cultivated understanding of customer expectations and how employee performance impacts customer experience.
- Established operational foundation that facilitated advancement through management to district leadership.
Education
McDonald's
Hamburger University
Skills
- Multi-Unit Leadership
- Brand Standards & Execution
- Brand & Customer Experience
- McDonald's brand expertise
- Operational Planning
- Process Improvement
- Strategic Problem Solving
- Training & Coaching
- Team Leadership & Development
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Communication & Relationship Building
- Customer & Consumer Understanding
- Adaptability to change
- Cross-level communication
- People leadership experience
- Brand strategy alignment
AWARDS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Ray Kroc Award — 2017, Recognized with the Ray Kroc Award for outstanding performance and leadership within McDonald's., Hamburger University — Graduate, Completed professional leadership and business development education through Hamburger University.
- Award-Winning Leadership, Recipient of the 2017 Ray Kroc Award.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 40 Years with McDonald's
- Built an entire career within McDonald's, developing extensive knowledge of its people, customers, restaurants, culture, and brand.
- Career Advancement
- Progressed from Crew Person ? Certified Swing Manager ? 2nd Assistant Manager ? 1st Assistant Manager ? General Manager ? District Manager.
- Multi-Unit Leadership
- Currently/most recently responsible for leadership and execution across four McDonald's locations.
- Professional Development
- Graduate of Hamburger University.
Timeline
District Manager
McDonald's
01.2018 - Current
General Manager
McDonald's
01.2004 - 01.2018
1st Assistant Manager
McDonald's
01.1998 - 01.2004
2nd Assistant Manager
McDonald's
01.1996 - 01.1998
Certified Swing Manager
McDonald's
01.1993 - 01.1996
Crew Person
McDonald's
08.1986 - 01.1993
McDonald's
Hamburger University