A businessman who employs 1,600 workers in the region is still loving life at McDonald’s a quarter of a century after taking on his first franchise.

Kevin Foley runs 14 of the fast-food giant’s restaurants locally including in Cromer, Wroxham, Great Yarmouth and Norwich.

He began his career following in his father’s footsteps. Terry Foley began working in the Woolwich branch in the 1970s and went on to become the first UK employee to be granted a franchise following numerous promotions.

Norwich Evening News: McDonald’s franchisee Kevin Foley behind the wheel of an electric litter picker at his Cromer store McDonald’s franchisee Kevin Foley behind the wheel of an electric litter picker at his Cromer store (Image: McDonald's)

Kevin began a part-time role at the Eltham High Street branch in London aged 14.

He said: “From the moment I started I loved it. The buzz and the teamwork and the family feel of the brand.”

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As a result of his father’s promotion to franchisee, the family moved to Norwich, where Kevin took on his first permanent role at the former Westlegate branch.

Norwich Evening News: Kevin Foley and his father Terry outside the former Westlegate store with Norwich police chiefs in 2001 Kevin Foley and his father Terry outside the former Westlegate store with Norwich police chiefs in 2001 (Image: Sonya Duncan/Newsquest)

Norwich Evening News: Kevin Foley with his father Terry Kevin Foley with his father Terry (Image: Kevin Foley)

He then entered the franchise world by acquiring the Tuckswood branch from his father in 1999, becoming the first second-generation franchisee.

With his McEmpire stretching as far as King's Lynn, Snetterton and Beccles, Kevin's journey came full circle early last year as he took over Wroxham, the first branch he opened and ran with his father in 1995.

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His staff now serve 16,000 Happy Meals and 28,400 coffees per week.

Norwich Evening News: Kevin Foley in his first McDonald's manager position Kevin Foley in his first McDonald's manager position (Image: Kevin Foley)

Norwich Evening News: Kevin Foley and some of the team who helped pack and deliver supplies for Ukrainian refugees in 2022 Kevin Foley and some of the team who helped pack and deliver supplies for Ukrainian refugees in 2022 (Image: Kevin Foley)

Kevin and his staff have raised tens of thousands of pounds for multiple charities and, in 2022, Kevin was involved in a convoy of vehicles, taking humanitarian aid to the Ukraine border after Russia's invasion.

Kevin, 56, added: “Marking a silver jubilee is quite something for any business and I thank staff, customers, suppliers and supporters of all the charity events we have held over the years for being part of the journey.”