LIHU‘E — McDonald’s USA, including the three restaurants on Kaua‘i, are showing appreciation for educators this week by offering them free breakfast meals this week.
“Together with our owner/operators, we are proud to serve the people who make our communities a better place, and this is an important time to say ‘thank you’ to some of our everyday heroes,” said McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger.
“We were honored to give away 12 million free Thank You Meals to our first responders and health-care workers last year. Now, with educators going above and beyond, we are excited to recognize them in a way only McDonald’s can.”
All educators, such as teachers, administrators and school staff, can simply head to any Kaua‘i McDonald’s — Waipouli, Lihu‘e and ‘Ele‘ele — during breakfast hours from Monday through Friday, Oct. 11 to 15, and show a valid work ID for a free breakfast, courtesy of McDonald’s. There is a limit of one meal per person per day.
The Thank You Meals will be served in a classic Happy Meal box filled with an entree breakfast sandwich, hash browns and a beverage. Breakfast sandwich choices include Egg McMuffin, Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit or Sausage Biscuit. Beverage options include a medium McCafe hot or iced coffee or a medium soft drink.
McDonald’s franchisees have supported educators in the local neighborhoods for decades, including initiatives like McTeachers’ Night, coordinating food drops at educators’ homes after school, and free meals during the pandemic.
Taking the support of educators nationally through the Thank You Meal program will allow even more educators to be recognized.
“As a former teacher, this Thank You Meal means the world to me, and I know it will touch my customers and my employees,” said Stefanie Cabrera Bentancourt, McDonald’s owner/operator in Miami, Florida. “Educators are the backbone of our communities. They’ve done so much for us, and it is an honor to join my fellow owner/operators across the country to celebrate them.”
The public has an opportunity to join McDonald’s in honoring and thanking educators by sharing their individual thoughts on a favorite teacher or educator who has impacted their lives or inspired them by using #ThankYouMeal on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram from now through Oct. 15.
From spotlighting the most heartfelt thank-yous on social channels to local owner/operators surprising teachers with a breakfast delivery to their school, McDonald’s USA will celebrate select educators across the country in big and small ways.
If personal messages are more a person’s style, a free thank-you e-card can be downloaded and sent directly to a special educator.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com
I hope that includes all the Homeschool Educators as well.
I will tell my wife about it.
Keep up the good work McDonald’s. The reason I say this is because McDonald’s is a community fast food restaurant. They hire all kinds of employees. But mostly high school to just after high school students. And they do a darn good job too. “Hello, Welcome to Mcdonald’s. Can I take your order?” And the food always shows up in a timely manner. McDonald’s takes pride in serving their customers. This is their way of giving back to the community.