An Okotokian has been recognized by McDonald’s Canada on a national level.

Yogendra Khatri, Manager of the McDonald’s location at Big Rock Lane, is a recipient of one of this year’s Outstanding Manager of the Year Awards.

According to McDonald’s Canada, Khatri received the accolade for a number of reasons, including his efforts in navigating his team through the pandemic, and consistent quality of customer service and managerial responsibilities.

Khatri’s career with the company spans 18 years, having first worked in Dubai, before moving to Canada in 2009 as a temporary foreign worker.

As he progressed within the company, Khatri also gained his permanent residency in 2014 and became a Canadian citizen last year.

He says the adjustment of living and working in a new country was made easier by his fellow team members.

“Work-wise, it’s pretty similar… outside work, the community of people living here, it was a big change. But for me, it was easy to find people here who came out and helped me. Owner/operators, other managers and co-workers.”

Khatri says he also values the relationships he’s built with members of the community over his 11 years in Okotoks.

“Lots of local customers come in, I have time to interact with them, talk with them, serve them. It feels great that everyone when they come in, we recognize each other.”

He says he’s always glad to get out into the community, participating in local events and fundraisers.

“We’ll have events, like soccer games, marathons. Especially McHappy Day every year. We invite the Okotoks Police Department and Fire Department here and they volunteer here, and we donate to the United Way.”

One of his career highlights includes a trip to Florida for a McDonald’s Worldwide Convention in 2018, where he was able to meet fellow employees from across the world.

According to McDonald’s Canada, only the top 10% of managers receive the award.

 

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