Their burgers and shakes may taste the same, but the McDonald’s restaurants in Red Deer have undergone a significant change.
The golden arches restaurants have been purchased by McDonald’s Canada from longtime franchisee Max Pasley Enterprises Ltd. of Calgary. The deal concluded last Friday, with Red Deer’s six McDonald’s outlets — including both Wal-Mart locations but not the pair in Gasoline Alley — and 33 others in Calgary affected.
Rod Halladay, McDonald’s Canada’s director of operations for Alberta and British Columbia, said Max Pasley Enterprises has retained ownership of six franchises in Calgary.
“So we are, for the first time in McDonald’s Canada history, going to be neighbours with Max in Calgary.”
Max Pasley Enterprises principal Max Pasley opened Alberta’s first McDonald’s restaurant in 1967. From that Calgary foothold, he expanded the brand to other communities across the province, said Halladay, who believes Pasley had the exclusive rights for the fast-food chain in Alberta.
Red Deer got its first McDonald’s in 1984, with Pasley the only franchisee ever to operate in the city. The Gasoline Alley McDonald’s restaurants in Red Deer County are owned by Tony Hoffmann.
“I imagine he’s the longest-serving franchisee in Canada at this stage of the game,” said Halladay of Pasley. “He’s an original; he’s a pioneer.”
Halladay added that Pasley was among the biggest franchisees in the McDonald’s international network.
“In Canada, for sure, Max grew to be the largest franchisee in our system — and was up until this sale.
“He’s had a real significant impact on our brand.”
In recent years, Pasley’s holdings were concentrated in Calgary and Red Deer.
The conversion of the Red Deer restaurants from franchised to corporate-owned businesses will have no impact on their day-to-day operations, said Halladay.
“It’s really business as usual.”
He said it’s not uncommon for franchised outlets to revert to corporate control. But between 70 and 75 per cent of the McDonald’s restaurants in Canada are still privately owned.
The Advocate was unable to speak with Pasley, but he did issue a statement thanking local customers and staff.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed being a partner in the great community of Red Deer, and rest assured that McDonald’s Canada will maintain a strong commitment to customers, the community and staff at these restaurants.”
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com