901 Now: Business owner on importance of inclusivity as Mexican-American

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Through a strong relationship with each and every customer, Alex Pina values his relationship with each and every customer.

“My team and I take a lot of pride in the service that we provide our guests,” Pina said. “But not only that, but our culture of our organization is also people-centric.”

Pina is a first-generation Mexican-American who owns eight McDonald’s in the Mid-South. Over a 20-year journey, Pina has learned the ins and outs of the business.

“I’ve been in finance, accounting, operations, and it brought me here to Memphis 11 years ago and then 6 years ago I had the opportunity to become an owner and operator,” Pina said.

However, the true lessons came at a much younger age.

”Being a first-generation Mexican-American, I wanted to make my parents proud,” Pina said. “This has been a dream I’ve always wanted but it has far exceed my expectations.”

Now in the restaurant world, Alex is breaking generational curses and building diverse relationships within the community.

”From crew person, to director of operations to owner and operator, we are 100% diverse,” Pina said.

Pina said the work that goes into owning eight different McDonald’s is bigger than him.

”I don’t call my team my team, I call them my McFamily,” Pina said. “So, in order to be able to do that, you have to live it. You can’t fake that.”

Most of his team members are fluent in English, some in Spanish.

With a few bilingual, Pina said he wants all of his locations to represent Memphis as the melting pot it truly is.

”I think it’s very important for not just our people,” Pina said. “But a lot of students, when we go speak at different schools, to see someone that looks like them, so they can know that if he can do it, or she can do it then I ca do it.”

Alex said he and his McFamily are involved with several community organizations like The Memphis Ronald McDonald House, Junior Achievement of Memphis and Leadership Memphis.

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