Q+A: TONY BROADBENT:

Las Vegas McDonald’s franchisee: ‘All worthwhile things in life take sacrifice and time’

Tony Broadbent poses in his McDonald’s restaurant at Buffalo Drive and Charleston Boulevard Monday, June 27, 2016. Broadbent, who started working at McDonald’s when he was 16 years old, is now a franchise owner with three locations in the valley.

Tony Broadbent started working at McDonald’s when he was 16. He’s moved up through the organization, from part-time worker to assistant manager to director of operations and now owner of three franchises. He recently celebrated his one-year anniversary as a franchisee in the Southern Nevada market.

What is the best business advice you’ve received?

I have been taught to be principle-based, not only in business, but in life. I learned this often from my mentors and trainers, Doug Johnson and Clark Stringham. Doug and Clark owned the McDonald’s franchise organization that I grew up with. They taught me to base decisions on what is right and not what is easy. As a team, we focused on our people and tried to teach our managers to understand the business and operate each restaurant in the manner they felt was best. Different people have different skills, and there are many ways to be successful. Too often, we establish rules or procedures that can limit innovation. Your team will develop a deep satisfaction in their work when they know they are valued and important.

If you could change one thing about Southern Nevada, what would it be?

I think professional sports will help this community once teams are established here and are competitive in their leagues. There is something about sports that unites people. Teams provide a sense of togetherness that this community could benefit from. I see in other cities people cheering for each other when they know they are fans of the same team.

What has been your most exciting professional project?

Each phase of my career has been exciting. I enjoyed being a general manager and leading a team of about 70 employees when that was my role. Likewise, I enjoyed being a director of operations and working with a much larger team. My current role of owner/operator has been exciting and challenging. What is common to each of these experiences is the opportunity to stretch myself and grow.

To what do you owe your success?

I have been successful because I showed up when they expected me and I used my personality and skills to do my best. I share this message with my crew often: You may not know what opportunities life will bring you, but if you want to be successful, you need to do your best and prepare yourself for the next step. Good things will happen. I am not saying they will happen overnight. One of the principles I live by is that all worthwhile things in life take sacrifice and time.

Talk about your involvement with Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Nineteen years ago, my wife, Lollie, and I lost a baby boy. We were unexpectedly flown to San Francisco and emergency medical procedures were performed to try to save our son’s life. He had not been born yet, and we lived in the hospital for 11 days. Our goal was to deliver the baby and stay at the Ronald McDonald House. We did not have that opportunity.

I know what it feels like to have a child in trouble. I have met too many families who know this as well. Every local McDonald’s owner/operator is committed to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas. We see the families and we hear their stories. We are proud to give generously to RMHC, and to volunteer time in serving at the house either in leadership positions or service projects. RMHC also gives back by offering scholarships for local students. This year, RMHC awarded $173,830 to 153 high school graduates and $90,000 to 90 returning college students. Local owner/operators work together to do fundraisers, run promotions and donate funds.

Where do you see yourself and your company in 10 years?

In 10 years, I see us doing much of what we do today. The restaurants will certainly look different and our procedures may change. We may even serve different items. I have seen these types of changes come and go, and change is the only thing that we know will stay the same. I look forward to the future and am optimistic about our McDonald’s brand.

What is your dream job, outside of your current field?

My next adventure will be giving back. My thoughts are on providing service in some part of the world where we can let go of ourselves and focus on the local people and their issues. When we can focus on the problems of others, our problems tend to shrink.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?

I am a Pisces, so it has to be close to the water. My favorite places are beach destinations. I love Hawaii and Playa del Carmen in Mexico. Life runs at a slower pace and is much more relaxed in the beach destinations. My body and mind feel better in the ocean.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I wish I could better control stress levels. One of the things that I love about running is that it makes me feel better after I am finished. I think better when I am in the process of a hard run or bike ride. That is where I like to work out my problems and frustrations.

What is something that people might not know about you?

I am a Porsche Car Club driving instructor. One of my hobbies has been driving sports cars on the race track. This is another environment that helps me balance my life. When you are driving at your ability level on a road course, you cannot keep anything else on your mind. There is too much happening out there, and the focus is 100 percent on what is coming around the next corner. Much like running, most of the challenge is internal.

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