Two local McDonald’s franchisees were awarded at a global convention last month for their contributions to their community, the company announced Friday.
Paul Vernaleken and Tawnya Glandon were given the 2026 Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award at the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention, held at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas on May 31.
The award is the company’s highest recognition that is given to the top one per cent of McDonald’s franchisees across 20 of its markets worldwide.
“It acknowledges those who put their customers and people first, lead with integrity and inclusion and fiercely support the brand in their communities,” a release said.
Vernaleken and Glandon operate 13 McDonald’s restaurants across the Ottawa region. On this year’s McHappy Day, the company’s annual fundraising event, they raised more than $50,000 in support of Ronald McDonald House and other local children’s charities.
The company said Vernaleken has played “a vital role in mentoring other McDonald’s franchisees…” as well as championing “high-impact business initiatives in a time when many were scaling back, doubling his market size over the past two years.”
“Tawnya and I are incredibly humbled to be recognized on a global stage. This award is a testament to the dedication of our outstanding restaurant teams and the unwavering support of the Ottawa community,” Vernaleken said in the release. “We are incredibly proud to represent our region and look forward to continuing our mission to serve our communities.”
There are about 40 McDonald’s locations across the Ottawa region. In November 2024, Michèle Boudria, then-CEO of McDonald’s Canada, said the company was looking to expand with five new locations across the city, including a new location in the ByWard Market to replace the previous location at 99 Rideau St. that closed in 2023.
Last December, Vernakelen opened a location at 175A Main St. and fellow franchisee Dan MacLean opened the ByWard Market location at 377 Dalhousie St.
