McDonalds manager Ahmed Awes: After 20 years, ketchup still in his blood – Somewhere in Pirmasens

We met Awes Amed at the Pirmasens weekly market. In our spontaneous interview, he told us why he moved from Eppenbrunn to Pirmasens and why he still has “ketchup in his blood” after 20 years.

Hello! Who are you?
My name is Awes Ahmed and I live here in Pirmasens on Mount Horeb. I have lived here for more than 20 years now.

Where did you live before?
In Eppenbrunn.

Did you not like it there anymore?
It’s always the same thing in the country. In terms of work. I work in Homburg and run a McDonalds branch there. That was always very far for me. From Pirmasens I don’t have to drive so far and I’m more flexible. Villages are slowly dying out and that’s a bit difficult. Before that I was in Saarbrücken for four years and commuted two hours a day. That was more exhausting!

Do you feel at home in Pirmasens?
I am a Bärmesenser at heart and I feel at home here (grins).

And at McDonalds? What do you do there?
I manage the branch in Homburg. I am a restaurant manager and went to McDonalds when I was 18. I trained there as a specialist in system catering. I was the second best graduate in Saarland. At 21 I was already the boss and suddenly I was responsible for 60 employees. I am now the longest-serving restaurant manager and have been doing this for 20 years. I still do it with passion and still have ketchup in my veins (laughs). But you know how it is. Everything changes and there are challenges. With what is going on in our economy. But we all have our challenges and we face them.

And the employees? Are there a lot of students who earn some extra money?
It’s a mixed bag. I have a lot of full-time and part-time employees, but also a lot of aspiring doctors who are studying medicine in Homburg. Everything is there.

What about the customers? Do they still sit down in the traditional restaurant or do they tend to drive past the counter?
The McDrive share is still high, but many guests still come in. We have redesigned many restaurants, with kiosks and all the trimmings and new technology. That’s why people like to spend time with us.

What else do you have planned for today?
I’m going to the dentist now, I have the day off. I won’t be going back to work until tomorrow.

Oh, good luck then! And thank you for participating!
Thank you! Have a nice day!