After 45 years, the Sadowski family is retiring from the McDonald’s business. The nine restaurants, which employ approximately 400 people across Texarkana, Atlanta, Ashdown and Leary, are currently represented by Amy and Jason Sadowski, but will transfer to Michael Retzer Jr., Little Rock, Arkansas.
Nancy and Tom Sadowski, parents of Jason, opened the first McDonald’s in Texarkana in 1973. They later opened the Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities chapter in Texarkana in 1994.
“We developed a lot of good friends and employees who are very loyal that helped us build that business, from that first restaurant all the way up until we retired. We are very grateful for their contributions and their acceptance while we were growing the business,” recalls Tom Sadowski.
RMCC operated under an independent board that consisted of local residents and McDonald’s franchisees. During the charity’s tenure, the organization donated $1,093,486 to nonprofits that benefit children in the four-states area. The restaurant’s collected canister money and direct donations on behalf of the charity. Dennis Young, President of the RMCC has been with the foundation for over ten years.
“It has been a great impact for the community of Texarkana. The organization gave grants to local and regional nonprofits that assist children.”
Earlier this year, the local board decided to merge with the Little Rock chapter of Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities. After the merger, donations received through the canisters at each location will help fund families in need at the Ronald McDonald House in Little Rock.
“It just made sense, close to 95% of Texarkana area residents who need a Ronald McDonald House go to Little Rock. We are certain that the new organization will carry on what we started here and become an integral part of this community as well, “ said Jason and Amy.
Jason was born in Texarkana and attended Texas High School. He later graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2001 with a degree in Business. After graduating, he returned to Texarkana in 2002 to learn the family business and formally took over ownership in 2012.
“I learned the business from the ground up, mopping floors, making biscuits; I learned every aspect of McDonald’s,” said Jason.
He went from owning one store to eight in less than a year. It didn’t take much longer for him to acquire his ninth McDonald’s.
“Both Texarkana and McDonald’s have been very good to us. We feel truly blessed to be able to end on a good note, and it has been a pleasure serving the area for as long as we have. McDonald’s is who we are, what we know. Our decision to retire was a difficult one based on the fact that every day we have the pleasure to work and interact with so many wonderful people.” the Sadowski’s stated, “We will miss the people and the ability to make a difference in this community.”
After making the difficult decision to retire, an opportunity arose from another McDonald’s Franchisee that was interested in purchasing all nine restaurants. Michael Retzer Jr. understands how deeply the Sadowski’s have positively impacted this tight-knit community and understands the reputation and standards he must live up to.
“The Sadowski’s have been a part of Texarkana fabric for many decades and my father started in the early 70’s in Greenville, Mississippi so we could relate to that. We are very excited to grow our organization and join the Texarkana community at all levels. This is exciting for our company; McDonald’s has a bigger, bolder vision with 19 different initiatives that will resonate with the community, and we look forward to implementing them,” said Michael Retzer Jr.
The Sadowski’s have enjoyed being a part of the Texarkana community and cherish the family and Christian values that supported their efforts.
