From toilet scrubber to business owner: the first black woman to own a McDonald’s franchise in Philadelphia

You will need around $1.4 to $2.4 million to become a McDonald’s franchise owner.

This is easy for a few with the resources to get that money. But for many, that amount is almost a dream. But it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to reach.

Meet Tanya Hill-Holliday, the first black woman to become a McDonald’s franchise owner in Philadelphia.

She may be small, standing just over 5 feet tall, but her dreams were always big.

As we kick off Women’s History Month, Tanya shares her inspiring journey.

She started by scrubbing toilets in Baltimore and became the owner of 12 McDonald’s locations on the Main Line in Pennsylvania.

But Tanya’s journey wasn’t a smooth ride, said Afrotech.

“I was told I wasn’t supposed to be here. I was called every name but my name,” she recalls.

Despite the challenges, she defied the odds and now owns a dozen franchise locations.

The very first McDonald’s that she purchased in 2005 was the Rosemont McDonald’s right next to Villanova University.

Born in Virginia and raised in West Philadelphia, Tanya started her journey at Morgan State University.

Her first job came from a simple flip through the Yellow Pages, where she found a listing for McDonald’s, CBS News noted.

Starting as a crew member in Baltimore, Maryland, she faced challenges like cleaning tables and toilets, but she embraced every task.

“I always enjoyed what I was doing, as difficult as it was to be told…You got to do…’ I did it,” she said.

After graduating, Tanya joined McDonald’s management training program, working her way up through the corporate side and various locations across the country.

She held 13 positions within McDonald’s corporate ranks, from assistant manager to supervisor and vice president overseeing company-owned McDonald’s restaurants.

Her career took a significant turn when she landed at a McDonald’s location in Philadelphia.

About 20 years ago, Tanya became the first Black woman to become a McDonald’s franchise owner and operator in the “City of Brotherly Love.”

She now oversees more than 600 employees, considering her team as family while they handle day-to-day operations.

Tanya adds her personal touch to the franchises, saying, “There are some prototypes that McDonald’s gives to you, but then as a franchisee, as an owner, you can put some of your own personal touches onto the basics.”

Throughout her years as a McDonald’s franchisee, Tanya is grateful for her team’s support.

“They are my pride and joy. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my people, so it’s about my people.”

Despite her decades of loyalty to McDonald’s, Tanya has no plans to slow down.

She loves what she does and has a piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “When you think you’ve hit a brick wall, go over the wall, go around the wall — if you gotta go under the wall — do what you have to do but just don’t let roadblocks stop you. Be persistent. Be strong.”

In addition to her success, Tanya is actively involved in giving back.

She serves as the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association Chair and CEO of 168 entities across the U.S.

Tanya hopes her journey inspires young people working their first job.

“Stay motivated, stay encouraged, stay prayed up. I stay prayed up all the time,” she advises.

Tanya Hill-Holliday’s success story is a testament to her heart, hustle, and the golden arches that many of us call home.

Her journey from a crew member to a McDonald’s franchise owner proves that dreams can come true with hard work and determination.

Watch CBS Philadelphia’s interview with Tanya Hill-Holiday, an inspiring McDonald’s franchise owner, below: