David Turner, manager of Tabor City’s McDonald’s restaurant, has been awarded the restaurant chain’s highest honor.

Turner was one of only 142 McDonald’s managers in the country awarded the Ray Kroc Award this year, an annual performance-based award that recognizes the top performing McDonald’s restaurant managers. Named after McDonald’s Corporation founder Ray Kroc, the award was established in 1999 to honor hardworking man- agers in both corporate owned and independently owned and operated restaurants – those who make Kroc’s vision of excellence come to life in restaurants and for customers each day.

This prestigious honor comes with a cash prize, a Kroc award trophy, ring and pin and a trip to Chicago for an awards gala in May hosted by McDonald’s USA President, Mike Andres.

“Every day is an opportunity to relate to and provide service to our customers,” said Turner.

“I am fortunate to work in a small town environment where I can get to know our customers on a personal level.”

Kroc built the McDonald’s business on the belief that greatness can only be achieved through the dedication and support of a Company’s people. The award was named after him based on his commitment to people and recognizing their contributions to the organization he helped establish. Each year, this prestigious award is given to the top one percent of U.S. general managers from both independently owned and operated and company owned restaurants to recognize their superior performance and achievement.

“Turner being honored with the coveted Kroc Award is a true testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence, building our business and taking care of our customers’ needs each and every day,” said Mc- Donald’s local owner/operator Steve Harnish. “We are proud to have Turner as part of our McDonald’s family and commend him on this truly amazing accolade.”

Turner has worked at the independently owned and operated Tabor City McDonald’s for two years as a valued manager. He is also involved in local fundraising and sponsorships that reinforce his commitment to being a contributing member of the community as well as a valued employee.

Winners of the Kroc Award run high performing and profitable restaurants that meet McDonald’s critical customer standards of quality, service and cleanliness. They have strong business knowledge and achieve superior results in restaurant operations, people management and building the business. As a recognized leader in the restaurant, they develop a restaurant team focused on ensuring customers get a fast, accurate and friendly experience every visit.

McDonald’s owner/operators or regional staff nominate restaurant managers for the Kroc Award to recognize their hard work, dedication and commitment to McDonald’s. Turner began working as a grill closer in 1976 at a McDonald’s in Summerville, S.C. He has since held a career in McDonald’s spanning more than 30 years. He is involved in fundraising for local schools as well as fundraising for the Tabor City police and fire departments. He is a member of the Tabor City Chamber of Commerce and is a four-time winner of the Outstanding Store Manager award.

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves more than 27 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women.