Owning the Golden Arches: Journey from Entrepreneur to Empire Builder with Kerri Harper-Howie - Entrepreneurs on Fire Recap

Podcast: Entrepreneurs on Fire

Published: 2026-01-08

Duration: 25 minutes

Guests: Kerri Harper-Howie

Summary

Kerri Harper-Howie shares her transformative journey from being a lawyer to owning 21 McDonald's franchises, emphasizing intentional growth, community impact, and leadership built on integrity.

What Happened

Kerri Harper-Howie's journey into the world of McDonald's franchises started with her family, who took a bold step in the 1980s by cashing in their pensions to become franchisees. This entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for Kerri, although she initially pursued a career in law. Her venture into the family business was inspired by personal events, particularly the birth of her son, which made her reconsider her mother's legacy and the importance of family business.

Kerri describes the challenges of transitioning from a legal career to managing a fast-paced restaurant environment. She emphasizes the importance of understanding every role within the business, starting her journey on the fry station to gain firsthand experience. This hands-on approach enabled her to connect deeply with the employees and appreciate the operational complexities of the business.

The discussion on scaling the business reveals Kerri's commitment to intentional growth. She talks about the importance of delegating tasks and training staff to manage new responsibilities as the number of restaurants grew. This allowed her to maintain a balance between personal involvement and broader business management, ensuring that the organization could expand without losing its core values.

Kerri highlights the significance of community impact in her business strategy. Her restaurants actively participate in charitable activities, like partnering with the Ronald McDonald House and engaging in local community events, continuing the legacy of her mother, who instilled a heart of service in her daughters.

The episode also addresses the challenges inherent in the franchise journey, particularly the emotional and mental hurdles Kerri faced while transitioning from law to the restaurant industry. She reflects on the preconceived notions she had to overcome and the lessons learned from fully engaging with every aspect of her business.

For those considering franchising, Kerri advises looking into the International Franchise Association as a resource for exploring opportunities. She underscores the support system franchising provides, allowing individuals to be in business for themselves but not by themselves.

Kerri concludes by sharing her belief in the power of integrity as the cornerstone of leadership and legacy. She emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing consistently, as it builds trust and credibility with employees and customers alike.

Key Insights