Education benefit available to eligible restaurant employees through the Archways to Opportunity program; Over 400 McDonald’s summer jobs open across Middle Tennessee
COOKEVILLE – Local McDonald’s owner-operator Tim Funderburk is looking to hire over 400 crew members over the summer who will then have a chance to not only pursue a career but also further their education through the Archways to Opportunity program.
The program is one of many benefits employees receive at McDonald’s and has become a major reason they have chosen to work for the ‘Golden Arches’ with the Funderburk organization. Just last year, Funderburk awarded $40,565.38 in college tuition reimbursement to 18 restaurant employees.
“Our organization’s priority is to support our employees,” said Funderburk, owner-operator of 21 McDonald’s restaurants across Middle Tennessee. “Through the Archways to Opportunity program, we’re able to provide for our employees’ futures, whether they continue growing their career within McDonald’s or pursue other opportunities.”
Archways to Opportunity provides eligible restaurant employees a chance to earn a high school diploma, receive upfront college tuition assistance, access free education advising services and learn English as a second language. Restaurant managers can receive up to $3,000 in college tuition assistance and crew members can receive up to $2,500.
Last year, the McDonald’s Greater Tennessee Valley Operators Association across Nashville, Chattanooga, Bowling Green and Northern Alabama provided nearly $670,000 in college assistance. This year, through April, the co-op has awarded just over a quarter of a million dollars to eligible crew members.
“Our employees are the reason the ‘Golden Arches’ continue to shine bright,” said Gina Wolfe, president of the McDonald’s Greater Tennessee Valley Operators Association. “Through Archways, we’re able to support crew members in furthering their education, whether that’s a high school diploma or a master’s degree.”
Since its inception in 2015, McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program has increased access to education for over 55,000 people and awarded more than $100 million in tuition assistance, showing McDonald’s ongoing commitment to increasing education accessibility across the workforce.
Locally owned and operated restaurant locations across Nashville, Chattanooga, Bowling Green and North Alabama expect to hire more than 4,000 restaurant employees this summer who then can qualify for this educational benefit. Job seekers can visit McDonalds.com/careers to learn more and apply to a restaurant near them.
ABOUT ARCHWAYS TO OPPORTUNITY
The Archways to Opportunity program provides eligible employees at participating U.S. restaurants an opportunity to earn a high school diploma, receive upfront college tuition assistance, access free education/career advising services and learn English as a second language. Since 2015, the education program has increased access to education for over 50,000 people and awarded over $90 million in high school and college tuition assistance. To learn more about the Archways to Opportunity program, please visit ArchwaysToOpportunity.com.
