How a McDonald’s Employee Built a Franchise Empire: Fred Del Barrio

McDonald’s Golden Arch Award winner Fred Del Barrio shares with Bob Lozano, all about his journey from crew member to multi-unit owner. With over 40 years of experience and 13+ restaurants, Fred opens up about the challenges, lessons, and values that shaped his success. We’ll cover everything from community engagement and financial literacy to leadership and family business dynamics.

Whether you're a franchisee, entrepreneur, or aspiring business owner, this conversation is packed with real-world insights to help you scale and succeed.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:13 Fred's Journey with McDonald's

07:46 Early Lessons and Growth

13:34 Becoming a Franchisee

17:00 The Importance of Giving Back

23:00 Taking Ownership

30:00 Transitioning to Leadership

35:33 The Business Side of Ownership

41:54 Finding Purpose in Business

49:00 Family Dynamics in Business

56:30 Building a Multi-Unit Business

1:06:00 Partnering and Trust

1:12:30 The Franchise Model and Protections

1:17:00 McDonald's Memorabilia

1:19:00 The Evolving Landscape of Franchising

1:24:54 Technology and Sustainability

1:26:30 Misconceptions about the Fast Food Industry

1:29:40 A New Menu Item for McDonald's

1:32:29 Justin Timberlake and the "I'm Lovin' It" Jingle

1:33:02 Conclusion and Thank You

About us: Bob Lozano is the CEO of F&P Group, a company involved in restaurant mana