Talk about a parallel universe! This has never happened to us, but for this week’s episode we interview two mamas who are not just sisters but also business partners & restaurant owners! Lisa De Bono and Jenny Briones are owners & operators of local Los Angeles and Orange counties McDonald’s restaurants. In this interview, we bond over the ins & outs of running a family business as well as the blessings & boundaries that come with working with family. These sisters have so much love for the community and they truly love what they do. It’s like they say: “We have ketchup running through their veins!”
More about Jenny & Lisa: Lisa De Bono & Jenny Briones are moms, sisters and 3rd generation McDonald’s Franchisees. They operate eight McDonald’s restaurants in LA and Orange Counties with their mother, Isabelle Villasenor and Jenny’s husband, Aaron Briones.
They grew up in the McDonald’s family as their grandparents got into the business in 1968 and their mother becoming an owner/operator in 1981. Throughout their high school days at Mater Dei High School, they worked together in the restaurants during holidays and summers. Lisa says, “No matter who you are or where you came from, McDonald’s is the perfect first job. You learn the basics of any business, from customer service to ‘the bottom line’ and simple practices like teamwork and responsibility.”
Their mother, Isabelle, always insisted on education first. In 1992, Lisa graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and an emphasis in Business Administration. She continued to be involved in the McDonald’s business while working for UCLA Campus Events and holding an internship at a literary agency. Upon graduation, Lisa accepted a position as the literary agent’s assistant.
In 1994, Jenny graduated from the USC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and pursued her dreams of a career in McDonald’s. “As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a McDonald’s Owner/Operator. It was evident early on that I had ‘ketchup in my veins.’”
Jenny trained as a manager in the Cypress restaurant and graduated from Hamburger University in 1995. Jenny received the McDonald’s Outstanding Store Manager Award in 1996. In 1997, she was promoted to General Manager and shortly thereafter she became Supervisor. That same year, Jenny completed the McDonald’s Next Generation Program and was officially recognized as a McDonald’s Owner Operator.
In 1993, after a conversation with her mother about the McDonald’s business and realizing she was more stimulated by “McDonald’s talk” than her current business, Lisa changed focus and began the McDonald’s Management Development Program. Lisa trained as a manager in the Artesia restaurant and graduated from Hamburger University in 1995. That same year Lisa received the McDonald’s Outstanding Store Manager Award for her accomplishments at the John Wayne Airport McDonald’s restaurants. In 1996, she was promoted to General Manager and in 1997 she became Supervisor. Also in April 1997, Lisa completed the McDonald’s Next Generation Program and was officially recognized as a McDonald’s Owner Operator.
Although Covid has changed the way they engage with the community, the sisters continue to be a support to the nearby communities and constantly promote and connect with local schools, churches and sports organizations. They look forward to the day when they can to advocate for children through programs such as McTeacher’s Nights, Feeding Healthy Families nutritional workshops, Open Doors, Family Day and Coffee with a Cop.
Today, Lisa and Jenny run the restaurants with their mother and Jenny’s husband. They relish in the challenges & rewards, as well as appreciate and enjoy carrying on the tradition of a family business. Jenny is married to her Mater Dei High School sweetheart, Aaron, and is the proud mom of Jake (21) Michael (19) and Sara Isabelle (15). Lisa and her husband, Paul, are blessed with their children Anthony (22) and Joshua (20).
A Special Donation from McDonald’s, Lisa & Jenny on behalf of the Super Mamas
As moms, organizations that prioritize mothers and families are very near and dear to us. When McDonald’s offered to make a donation on our behalf to an organization of our choice, the first program we thought of was My Safe Harbor. My Safe Harbor’s mission is to strengthen families by empowering and equipping mothers. They accomplish this by creating programs like the Mother’s Club, where moms can enjoy friendship, skill-building, and learning together. They also offer enrichments electives, which offer an opportunity for mothers to dive deeper into relevant topics and skills. Elective classes are held once a week for 2-4 weeks and cover a range of topics from sewing and cooking to building self-esteem and parenting.
This organization is incredible in the work that it performs and the resources they provide for the community. The Super Mamas, Lisa and Jenny are honored to make this donation to My Safe Harbor!
You can learn more about the community and how you can help at MySafeHarbor.org.
