The main man behind the Humber region’s McDonald’s restaurants has told how he wants to “stay solvent and get to the other side”.
George Michniewicz has built his fast-food empire in East Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire.
He runs 14 restaurants in total, turning over £54 million a year.
On Monday evening they closed.
A spokesperson said they made the “difficult decision” to protect the wellbeing of its staff and customers.
George said: “We are just working through this as best we can but it is a very complicated situation.
“We are speaking to the bank and exploring ways to cope with the next three months – but it could be longer.
“Our main aim for now is to stay solvent and get to the other side.
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“At this moment in time we are looking at all the options. We are looking at making operational adjustments and the sustainability of the business.”
But the 61-year-old - at an age where temptation could be to walk away - is determined to overcome the major hurdles facing his business.
It should be no surprise. His Polish parents fled the Soviet Union’s oppressive communism - travelling through Siberia and Palestine to reach the 海角视频. Blue collar workers, they instilled a work ethic, it drove him to study business in the early Eighties, emerging at the helm of one of capitalism’s strongest symbols, taking opportunities as they were presented like Big Macs at a serving hatch.
George began as a trainee manager in a far less well known chain in the mid-Eighties. After stints across the Midlands he was put in charge of Yorkshire’s first McDonald’s in Leeds. Two years later he was area manager for West Yorkshire, with North and East bolted on soon after.
The mother tongue saw him tasked to oversee the brand’s launch in Poland, and given such an insight into how it all worked, he decided to go into franchising. Living in Howden, Hull’s Jameson Street was first. St Andrew’s Quay, Willerby and Hedon Road, now Holderness Road, were quickly added, going from four to 16 in a big franchise push in 2007 - just before the recession hit.
He now employs 1,400 people.
He added: “It is very worrying times for us all.
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“McDonald’s is helping with the payments to staff but they have shut down restaurants in six global markets so even though it is giant, the company is facing financial issues.
“The Government announcement that they will pay up to 80 per cent of wages will help but there will still be a shortfall to make up. But our staff will be the priority. We will be making a decision on what happens but the staff will find out first.
“We will also be donating the excess food and drink to causes. Rest assured nothing will go to waste.”
Announcing the closure on social media on Sunday night, including a ‘social distancing of the iconic golden arches logo, the statement read: “We have taken the difficult decision to close all McDonald’s restaurants in the 海角视频 and Ireland by 7pm on Monday, March 23, at the latest.
“This is not a decision we are taking lightly but one made with the wellbeing and safety of our employees in mind as well as in the best interests of our customers.
“We will work with local community groups to responsibly distribute food and drink from our restaurants in the coming days.
“Thank you to our brilliant employees for their hard work during the incredibly challenging time.
“We look forward to seeing you all again as soon as it is safe for us to reopen.”