We're Lovin' It

McDonald’s employees from 20 restaurants happy about free tuition to attend MTSU

by Randy Weiler

Well before MTSU and McDonald’s franchise owner McGuire Management Group publicly announced a new partnership, word was spreading about how current and future employees could earn a degree more affordably.

Michael Johnson (pictured) and dozens of other McGuire Management workers had already discovered they could attend MTSU tuition-free starting last fall. Hundreds of others became aware after the McGuire True Blue Education deal was signed and sealed in early August.

Owner Jonathon McGuire operates 20 McDonald’s restaurants in five counties—10 locations in Murfreesboro, seven in Nashville/Antioch, and others in Columbia, Centerville, and White Bluff.

“This partnership is designed to empower employees to learn and advance in their careers, no matter where they are on their journey,” MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said.

McGuire said his company “can offer tuition-free education at one of the nation’s best universities.”

The McDonald’s franchise group had already reached half of its first-year enrollment goal even before the official announcement. The management group will fund 100% of tuition costs for qualifying employees. A discounted tuition rate is offered for additional hours beyond what the program provides per semester.

“It’s exciting to see so much interest, people wanting to go to school," Johnson said. "A lot of [general managers] had prior experiences at universities but never finished because of life happening.”

Ralph Schulz, president of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, said working at McDonald’s at age 16 “helped fund my college education. This partnership takes a job that was just a job and takes it to a career opportunity.”

MTSU’s University College, which offers flexible degree options and prior learning credits geared toward working adults, will manage the program.

“People are the heart and soul of our business,” said McGuire, whose 1,200 employees serve more than 150,000 customers each week. “My business is an opportunity to serve others and make my community a better place.” It’s a mission he loves.