Cooking shows such as “Ace of Cakes†and “Kitchen Nightmares†have would-be chefs salivating at the thought of ruling over swanky dining rooms, but many professional cooks get humble starts in the fast-food industry.
Lita Salazar, a former schoolteacher who co-owns three area McDonald’s franchises, said her eateries have been the proving ground for numerous kitchen wizards, including her son, Matthew, who has degrees in restaurant management and culinary arts.
“A lot of people get their start at McDonald’s,†said Salazar, who estimates her North Central location alone serves 45,000 hungry people each month.
Salazar’s husband, Joe, was the director of operations at a Laredo McDonald’s for 15 years before the couple became franchise owners. Their first locations were in Rockport and Aransas Pass, but they sold both when they moved to San Antonio in 2002. More.