Colleen VanBlarcom: McDonald’s Operator, Legacy Builder, and Culture Champion
In this episode, we sit down with Colleen VanBlarcom—owner/operator of 11 McDonald’s restaurants across Southern Minnesota. With a career spanning four decades and roots in one of McDonald’s most storied family lineages, Colleen shares what it takes to lead a growing, values-driven organization under the Golden Arches.
From scrubbing floors as a teen to managing multi-unit operations in Mankato, Owatonna, Waseca, Medford, and Eagan, Colleen’s story is steeped in grit, growth, and generational wisdom. She opens up about her father’s early days with McDonald’s—back when there were just over 200 locations nationwide—and how his legacy shaped her path as both a business leader and community builder.
Colleen reflects on small-town adjustments, lessons learned from corporate legends, and how a surprise visit from Ray Kroc changed the course of her family’s journey. She shares insights on leadership, problem-solving, and what it takes to maintain a strong culture in one of the world’s most recognizable brands.
And in a Get Deep exclusive, Colleen reveals the future location of Mankato’s newest McDonald’s restaurant—news you’ll hear here first.
Stick around for a heartfelt conversation about service, resilience, and the human side of fast food—plus powerful stories about her team’s impact through the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
🎙️ Brought to you by our episode sponsors:
Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery & Distillery, Community Bank Mankato, South Central Small Business Development Center, and iWealth
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