Geoff Wood’s 30-year career with McDonald’s is a story of innovation, hard work and a steadfast belief in people. From helping open South Africa’s first McDonald’s in 1995 to running a successful multi-store operation in Cape Town, his journey reflects the essence of the brand — growth built on relationships, resilience and passion. “I first heard about McDonald’s while studying hotel management in Johannesburg in the early 1990s,” Geoff recalls.
“It sounded almost mythical — a system so precise and efficient. I never imagined I’d be part of bringing it to South Africa.” When McDonald’s announced its local launch, Geoff seized the chance. In 1995, he was among 42 South Africans selected for the first management trainee programme.
Within days, he had his first passport and was on a plane to New Zealand for six months of intensive training, followed by advanced operations courses in Chicago. “We were all young and eager to learn,” he says. “Those months overseas gave us the biggest boost of ‘ketchup in the veins’ you could imagine.” By November 1995, Geoff was back in Johannesburg, helping to open the country’s first McDonald’s restaurant in Blackheath.
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The launch was unforgettable. “Cars queued for kilometres and thousands of people stood outside just to reach the door,” he remembers. Supply chain delays meant the crew trained with cardboard cut-outs of burger patties before the real products arrived.
“It was exhilarating. We were literally making history.” He went on to become South Africa’s first restaurant manager, opening the Westgate store the following year. Over the next decade, Geoff worked with operations directors to hire teams and open restaurants across Gauteng, Pretoria and Cape Town.
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