The surprising famous faces that kicked off their careers at McDonald’s – as it’s revealed one in 12 Aussies have worked at the burger chain

by

It’s one of the most recognisable brands in the world.

Approximately two million Australians have worked at McDonald’s, making up about one out of every twelve residents. Therefore, it’s hardly a shock that well-known Australian personalities have had stints working under the iconic Golden Arches at some point in their lives.

Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese got his start at the legendary burger restaurant.

In February 2021, while addressing the press as the Opposition leader, he spoke about the difficulties he encountered in his job of preparing burgers.

He mentioned that he previously worked at McDonald’s, so he understands the need for quick snacks or beverages during breaks.

‘And you need to do it, particularly as I used to work out the back – it was hot, hard work.’

The nation’s top politician is not the only famous face that has graced the counter at McDonald’s.

On a past occasion, both Sylvia Jeffreys (from Today Extra) and Sarah Harris (formerly of Project) wore the iconic outfit.

Despite now being quite skilled at renovations, as evident on The Block, Shelly Craft originally began her career by building Big Macs and Quarter Pounders.

Tristan Knowles, who won a gold medal in Paralympic wheelchair basketball, and Brittany Saunders have both worked at McDonald’s in addition to their athletic achievements, as demonstrated by their diverse résumés.

Initially a social media influencer, this individual transformed into an entrepreneur and launched the fashion brand Fayt back in 2017. In an interview with Pedestrian magazine in February, she shared that her journey began right at the neighborhood McDonald’s.

‘My first official job was at McDonald’s when I was 14,’ she said. 

Between the ages of 14 and 21, I held more than twenty roles across various establishments such as fast food joints, bars, coffee houses, and retail outlets. Additionally, during this period, I functioned as a sports instructor at a summer camp for children.

Brad McMullen, the Chief Restaurant Officer for McDonald’s Australia, mentioned that starting out at Macca’s could be an excellent stepping stone for someone’s career.

In other words, it’s well-known that Macca’s is often where young Australians start their working careers, and the abilities they acquire there end up being valuable for their entire lives.

The McDonald’s restaurant serves as a remarkable platform for training, and each year, we allocate over $60 million towards offering top-tier educational opportunities and development programs.

Right from the start, you’ll be acquiring fresh abilities and accumulating practical knowledge across a broad spectrum, including issue resolution, interpersonal interaction, collaboration, and management skills.

14-year-old Mitchell Coombs, a comedian and content creator based in Sydney, commenced his career during his teenage years at the McDonald’s in Forbes, located in the Central West region of New South Wales.

Ten years following his departure from the Golden Arches, Mitchell revisited his familiar turf to find out if his skills were still up to par.

He posted a video on Instagram about his work shift at the fast food chain, which later became widely popular as numerous followers shared their own work experiences there.

Journalist Melissa Hoyer commented: ‘I’ve still got my uniform somewhere. 

I was wondering if someone is still responsible for thoroughly cleaning the kitchen, which involves disassembling everything and spraying it with a powerful high-pressure steam cleaner… I just can’t seem to get enough of those apple turnovers!

For Mitchell, returning to work after a decade felt like stepping back into the shoes of a passionate 14-year-old once more.

Reflecting on it now, I felt as though I’d been transported back to my 14-year-old self. The familiar rush of nerves coursed through me once more, just like the old days. I shared this experience with the Daily Mail.

Mitchell mentioned that it didn’t take long for him to get back into the routine, saying that being behind the counter once more felt just as natural as riding a bicycle.

There were, however, some surprises.

‘The uniform is completely different. In fact, it’s much better now,’ he said.

I found myself feeling rather sharp in the new uniform. The previous one seemed somewhat dated, resembling a polyester shirt – the type worn for physical education classes in older times.

After completing his filming, Mitchell chose to stay and help the staff during their busy afternoon period, as his triumphant comeback had been so impressive.

He mentioned that the video we both filmed together concluded with my cameras turned off. It seemed as if there was a post-school flurry since a large number of individuals rushed in all at once, according to him.

I asked them seriously if they needed help, to which they agreed. At the fries station, someone requested another large order, and I confirmed that I would prepare it right away.

Mitchell found that his job at McDonald’s served as an ideal launchpad for his aspirations in radio and podcasting; specifically, one radio station stood out.

‘Definitely the drive-thru,’ he said.

What’s heartbreaking, yet I harbored dreams of someday standing before a microphone, as the host of a podcast, following my stint at radio school, which I joined post-McDonald’s.

Mitchell chuckled, saying, “I guess I’d act like I was on radio while at the drive-thru, even though I know how cheesy it sounds.

He added that working in such a role did help him overcome childhood shyness.

As a timid individual myself, stepping into a customer-facing role proved to be a transformative experience for me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, enabling me to grow and develop confidence in interacting with others.

Initially, I found it intimidating to speak with others, but an unexpected situation required me to interact with countless individuals within a short span of time. After some time passed, I found myself thinking: “This isn’t as challenging as I thought.

Indeed, Mitchell made it clear to prospective McDonald’s workers that the job was far from effortless.

‘It’s not a bludge job,’ he said. 

Some teenagers might show up under the assumption that it would be an easy task, but they likely wouldn’t stick around for very long.

‘I don’t behave like a Karen when I’m at drive-thrus. If I see a young person working there, I tell them to take their time and not rush because they are doing just fine. On the job, you learn how to handle high-pressure situations.’

Read More

2025-08-31 02:22