For Patricia Williams, owning McDonald's franchises runs in the family. More than 30 years ago, Williams was inspired by a family member who owned McDonald's franchises to take a chance and go through the certification process of becoming a McDonald's owner.

She and her husband cashed out their retirement plans and took out a small business loan to support their next career move. Their first McDonald's location in Compton was a success, and they purchased a second location. After she and her husband parted ways, Williams bought his shares in the company and continued to work on improving customer service and increasing revenue. In 1995, Williams made a boss move by selling her two McDonald's locations and buying five more.

Although she didn't plan it, Williams' two daughter, Nicole Enearu and Kerri Harper-Howie, eventually became involved in the McDonald's franchises.

Photo: Los Angeles Sentinel

In the early 2000s, Enearu went through the McDonald's certification process for owners and purchased her own store. She later became the first female African American Chair for the McDonald’s Southern California Regional Leadership Council.

As a lawyer, Harper-Howie started out by providing legal and HR assistance for her mother's franchises. She soon went on the Next Generation training program for children of McDonald's owners.

Together, the three women have built an empire and now own 13 McDonald's franchises. They provide employment for more than 700 people in their community and generate almost $50 million in annual revenue. Williams and her daughters also give back to the community through scholarships for local students and funding for local and national charities.

black entreprenuership

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