McDonald’s today announced its official Olympic Champion Crew, including 36 people from Northern Ireland who have been selected from over 87,000 McDonald’s staff across the country to work at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The specially selected local crew members are amongst a 2,000 strong squad of McDonald’s staff that have been chosen following a rigorous test of their speed, customer service and ability to work as part of a team – all essential skills to deliver the ultimate customer experience during London 2012.

As well as working at the Games they’ll also have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of London 2012, see at least one Olympic or Paralympic event, go to cultural events and socialise with fellow McDonald’s crew members from across the UK and the world.

24 year-old Nicola McLarnon from Belfast explains how she feels about being chosen to be part of the McDonald’s Olympic Champion Crew: “I feel really lucky to have been selected as part of the McDonald’s team to work at the Olympic Games and it is a great opportunity to develop my skills and work as part of a new team in a fast paced environment. The atmosphere is going to be amazing and whilst I know it is going to be challenging it is undoubtedly an opportunity of a lifetime.

“I am really looking forward to meeting new people and this is an experience that will stay with me forever. I will be supporting the local athletes and also keeping an eye out for a few famous faces along the way.”

Last year, 12,000 staff from McDonald’s restaurants across the UK were involved in more than 100 ‘Super Team’ events to select the 2,000 Champion Crew needed to work at the Games. Staff were shortlisted from over 87,500 who work for McDonald’s in the UK after being nominated by their restaurant managers throughout 2011.

Local McDonald’s franchisee, Paul Connan, said: “I’m delighted that so many staff from across Northern Ireland have been chosen to take part in this fantastic opportunity. McDonald’s was looking for its very best people and they will have to step up their performance to meet the challenges of the Games. They’ll need to be able to make split second decisions; epitomise McDonald’s team spirit; adapt to new environments quickly and deliver the best possible customer service at a time when the world’s eyes will be on Great Britain – a challenge I’m sure our local crew will more than rise to.”

The crew will travel to London this summer to work across the four temporary McDonald’s restaurants in and around the Olympic park. They will play a key role in serving an estimated 1.75 million meals in 29 days to 9.7 million spectators, a workforce of 200,000 and 17,000 athletes and team officials quickly and safely. Staff will work for between 7-10 days at their nominated restaurant.

Caption McDonald’s today announced its official Olympic Champion Crew, including 36 people from Northern Ireland who have been selected from over 87,000 McDonald’s staff across the country to work at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Pictured is local franchisee Paul Connan with successful Northern Ireland Olympic Champion crew Nicola McLarnon, Laura Smith and Sarah Lee Walker

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Notes to EditorsAbout McDonald’s and the Olympic GamesMcDonald’s commitment to the Olympic Movement began in 1968, when the company airlifted hamburgers to U.S. athletes in Grenoble, France, after they reported being homesick for American food. McDonald’s has served its menu of choice and variety to millions of athletes, their coaches, families and fans. London 2012 marks the ninth consecutive Games that McDonald’s will feed the athletes as the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games.

At London 2012 McDonald’s will have four temporary Olympic venue restaurants: one in the Olympic Village, another for the media in the Main press Centre and two in the Olympic Park for spectators.

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