FROM LEFT TO RIGHT – John Moreland, Owner/Operator, Moreland Organization, Mary Moreland, Owner/Operator, Moreland Organization, Chris Kempczinski, President of McDonald’s USA,  Stephanie Bishop, Owner/Operator, Bishop Organization Nicole Moreland, Office Manager, Bishop Organization

MARION, IL – McDonald’s of the Indianapolis Region today announced that West Frankfort, Illinois resident and McDonald’s owner/operator, Mary Moreland is the recipient of the 2017 W.O.N. (Women Operator Network) Founders Award.

“We are so proud to announce that Mary has won the prestigious Founders Award,” said Linda Burrell, president of W.O.N.’s Indianapolis Region Chapter and Middle-Tennessee owner/operator. “Mary has been an active member of our chapter for decades and has mentored not only her daughter (Stephanie Bishop, also a McDonald’s owner/operator), but many prospective McDonald’s women owner/operators and other young-women in her local community.”

The national and bi-annual honor recognizes a woman owner/operator who works beyond her own life and community and makes a difference in the lives of other women. She is someone who has a vision beyond her own company and inspires and motivates others to see beyond themselves and acts to light a path for those who travel in her footsteps.

Mary Moreland and husband, John Moreland, own and operate ten McDonald’s restaurants in the Tri-State and Evansville, Indiana area. She’s been an approved operator for 35 years, and a partner in the family-owned business for more than 52 years. Mary was selected as this year’s Founders Award recipient from nearly 808 McDonald’s women owner/operators nationally.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to recognize Mary with this milestone achievement,” said McDonald’s vice president and general manager, Cedric Jones. “As a McDonald’s owner/operator for more than 35 years, Mary has been and continues to be a true ambassador of the Brand in her community, working every day to inspire and motivate others to fulfill their dreams.”

Chris Kempczinski, president of McDonald’s USA recognized Mary this week at the 2017 W.O.N. National Business Conference in Chandler, Arizona.