Stephanie Thompson-Morris, left, celebrates 40 years of working at McDonald’s with her Long Neck staff and franchise owner Mike Meoli, right. Source: Coastal Point.
At The Meoli Companies, we believe that success is built on the dedication and loyalty of our team members. Recently, we had the pleasure of celebrating two extraordinary individuals, Stephanie Thompson-Morris and Mike Mullen, who have each devoted 40 years of service to McDonald’s. Their commitment to excellence and their unwavering dedication to our customers and crew members make them true pillars of our organization.
A Legacy of Loyalty
Stephanie Thompson-Morris, the General Manager at our Long Neck McDonald’s, and Mike Mullen, the Assistant Manager at our Selbyville location, were honored in a special celebration where franchise owner Mike Meoli personally presented them with cakes and gifts. Their coworkers and guests joined in to congratulate these outstanding employees who have been with us for four decades.
“They have been tremendously loyal, dedicated, and steady employees and managers throughout their careers,” said Mike Meoli, who owns more than 25 McDonald’s franchises across the Delmarva peninsula, including locations in Kent and Sussex Counties. “They have impeccable character, treat their customers and crew with respect, and set fantastic examples in my organization.”
A Culture of Longevity
To put their tenure in perspective, The Meoli Companies’ Human Resources department found that the average length of employment among our 1,500 employees is 9.8 years—an impressive statistic that speaks to the strength of our team and the opportunities McDonald’s offers as a career.
“McDonald’s is more than just a part-time job; it’s a great career opportunity for many people,” Meoli said. “Even though McDonald’s is a big company, I’m a local owner-operator who has been part of this community for a long time, and we’ve built a good business here.”
Recognizing Milestones
Stephanie and Mike will be further honored at our annual employee appreciation luncheon in December, where we’ll also celebrate other employees who have reached significant milestones in their careers, from five years all the way up.
Stephanie’s Journey: A Commitment to People
Stephanie Thompson-Morris, 58, began her McDonald’s journey at the age of 17, and she’s never looked back. A resident of Georgetown, Stephanie has worked at multiple McDonald’s locations, including Georgetown, Harrington, and Millsboro, before settling in at Long Neck eight years ago.
“Back when I first started, I thought it would be part-time, but I stayed because of the people. I love working with the public,” Stephanie shared. “The most satisfying thing is the people. I think the world of Mr. Meoli. He is the main reason I’m still here. Losing my husband and then my son, I’ve had a couple of tragedies since I’ve been here, and he’s been there for me.”
Stephanie’s dedication to her customers and crew is evident in her day-to-day interactions. “As the general manager, I don’t always wait on customers, but I make it a point to talk to them in the lobby as they eat,” she said. “Hospitality, having a good attitude—that’s an everyday thing. Positivity and good attitude go a long way with everybody.”
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys camping and spending time with her three grandchildren. Her favorite McDonald’s menu item? A Sausage McMuffin with cheese.
Mike Mullen celebrates his 40 years working for McDonald’s with a cake from franchise owner Mike Meoli. Source: Coastal Point.
Mike’s Journey: A Passion for Service
Mike Mullen’s journey with McDonald’s began when he was just 14 or 15 years old, starting as a part-time employee to “put a little money in my pocket.” Over the years, Mike worked his way up from maintenance to the kitchen and eventually into management.
“I really enjoy working here. I enjoy the customers and the people. I get to meet so many people, and they remember me,” Mike said.
Like Stephanie, Mike has worked at several McDonald’s locations, including Harrington, Rehoboth Beach, Long Neck, and now Selbyville. His passion for classic cars is what he calls his “outside-of-work” passion, but his dedication to his job is just as strong.
“When I started in Georgetown, it was really busy. There was no McDonald’s once you came off the Bay Bridge until you got to Georgetown,” Mike reminisced. “I enjoy the challenge and the adrenaline rush when we get four or five buses coming in on weekends. I just love it.”
Meoli celebrated Mike’s milestone with a cake and a gift card for a nice dinner out. “He’s a very good owner-operator. He takes care of everybody,” Mike said. “When he told me it was 40 years, I said, ‘My goodness. Where did the time go?’”
Looking Ahead
At Meoli Companies, we’re incredibly proud of Stephanie and Mike’s 40 years of service and the example they set for all of us. Their stories remind us of the importance of dedication, community, and the lasting impact we can make in our work. Here’s to many more years of success and happiness for them and all of our employees.
Read the full story here.
