How One McDonald’s Organization Has Succeeded in Helping Team Members Achieve Their Educational Goals
McDonald’s Trefz Organization in Connecticut and New York has had resounding success connecting employees with Archways to Opportunity—McDonald’s education benefits program that has helped 90,000+ participants over the last decade. In fact, Trefz Organization has seen the most Career Online High School graduates of all McDonald’s restaurants and franchises across the country. The secret to their success? According to Owner/Operators Josie and Paul Trefz, having a dedicated Archways advocate in Sharon Rayo, People Development Manager, is a critical piece of the puzzle.
“Rayo’s job is training and removing barriers to growth,” said Paul Trefz. “A lot of [our people] want to continue their education…and Rayo helps them achieve this goal. ”
“It’s no secret that it is very difficult to keep employees,” he continued. “Having Archways to offer our employees gives us a great retention tool—our turnover is very low.”
Rayo agrees, reporting that 86% of their employees who graduated from COHS are still with the company. For the Trefz Organization, COHS has proven to be a valuable path forward for employees, often serving as a step toward career advancement, college, or further education. But the critical first step is effectively connecting employees with Archways.
So how does Rayo do it? COHS sat down with her recently to understand the secret sauce that is helping employees finish high school, go to college, and achieve their education and career goals.
Rayo’s Recipe for Success
“Archways is something we want employees to do, and it is at no cost to them,” said Rayo.
She encourages her employees to take the opportunity, telling them: “It is a privilege; take advantage of it.”
She offers guidance on how she helps employees do just that:
1. Use Smarter Signage
“Posters in the crew room are great—but they can quickly blend into the background. Try placing materials near the punch clock or another high-traffic area. Make sure everything is current. You can also attach a flyer or pamphlet to employee paychecks for extra visibility.”
2. Host Archways Days and Graduation Events
“We host Archways Days at a central, easy-to-reach restaurant. We set up a table in the lobby and invite nearby Trefz locations to stop by to learn more and ask questions about Archways programs. We bring extra laptops to help with site navigation and sign-ups. Having a bilingual team member available is also a big plus.”
Rayo and the Trefz organization also host graduation celebrations in the restaurant, recognizing that these events encourage other employees to participate.
“It’s inspiring. People think, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’”
3. Offer Supersized Archways Days With Program Representatives
“Think of this as a supersized Archways Day—it feels more like a college or job fair. We use a venue provided by our Owner/Operators and invite team members through texts, emails, and calls. Each Archways program has its own table staffed with knowledgeable representatives, giveaways, and raffles. We invite team members from COHS and Colorado Technical University and showcase graduate photos and stories. Laptops are available for hands-on sign-ups, and we provide marketing materials, food, and beverages.”
4. Leverage Leadership Transitions Classes (LTC) & Experience of the Future Crew Rallies (EOTF)
“We host extended two-day LTC sessions for crew and crew trainers moving into leadership roles. This is an excellent time to discuss future goals, introduce Archways, and talk about how education can help advance career goals. We show participants the Archways video, go over available programs, and answer any questions. We also share a QR code flyer during the session so participants can access the site anytime. We follow a similar approach during EOTF Crew Rallies.”
5. Be Loud, Proud, and Present
“Even though I’m part of the office staff, I stay active in the restaurants. I always keep business cards handy so I can share information about Archways after busy shifts. If we can’t meet in person, I set up calls, Zooms, or FaceTime—whatever it takes. I also check in regularly with current Archways participants to help keep them motivated.
In June, several General Managers and Supervisors met with crew members who had just graduated high school to talk about their future plans, which is a perfect time to introduce how Archways can help. Sharing success stories from peers can make a bigger impact, especially with younger crew members.
Lastly, be a go-to support person: help employees reach out to Archways, navigate any technical hurdles, answer questions, and guide next steps.”
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