How Much Does McDonald's Pay Employees in 2026?

Guest Experience Lead (GEL)

As local franchisees who started at an entry-level position in McDonald's, Phil & Diane Koury believe a job is about seizing the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed! That's why a role at your local McDonald's not only works around your schedule, but may also help you every day by offering world-class training, high school completion courses, college tuition assistance, perks, and more.

This job posting is for a position in a restaurant owned and operated by The Koury Family of McDonald's Restaurants and not McDonald's USA. This franchisee owns a license to use McDonald's logos and food products, for example, when running the restaurant. However, this franchisee is a separate company and a separate employer from McDonald's USA. If you are hired for the job described in this posting, the franchisee will be your employer, not McDonald's USA. Only the franchisee is responsible for employment matters at the restaurant, including hiring, firing, discipline, supervisions, staffing, and scheduling employees. McDonald's USA has no control over employment matters at the restaurant. McDonald's USA will not receive a copy of your employment application and it will have no involvement in any employment decisions, including whether you receive an interview for the job or whether you are hired.

McDonald's Works for Me.

I'm going places. I want to have fun, I like to be challenged, and I need a schedule that works for me.

The Job for Me Get a job that fits your life, inspires your best, and moves you forward. Choose your hours. Pursue your education. Build your skills and be yourself.

The Team for Me Our people want to say YES to working with energy and purpose, learning new skills, serving delicious food and creating feel-good moments with our guests. Does this sound like you? You'll fit right in.

The Place for Me From here, you can go further than you thought possible. Reach your goals and build your future with college tuition assistance, high school completion programs, English language courses and valuable job skills.

We are committed to being America's best first job. Let's talk. Make your move.

See a day in the life of a Guest Experience Lead at McDonald's

Requirements:

We believe in letting you do you. If you're looking for a part-time job that supports your full-time ambition, you've come to the right place. And right now we have an awesome opportunity for Guest Experience Leaders to work in our restaurant between the hours of 8am and 8pm. The Guest Experience Leader gets to create feel-good moments everyday with customers by:

Greeting guests and communicating with them while ordering

Offering help with using the ordering kiosks

Offering assistance to those in need of some extra hands

Checking with them once they have their food to make sure they're satisfied, or to see if they need anything else

Ensuring kids receive a kid treat

Handling any concerns

Communicating with the restaurant team to provide feedback and recommendations

All you'll need is an outstanding attitude, willingness to learn and grow and the capability to excel in a fast-paced, team environment. We'll teach you the rest. We offer great pay, tremendous benefits and a chance to grow like you wouldn't believe. Sound good? Give us a try! You must be 16 years of age or older to work as a Guest Experience Leader at corporate owned and operated McDonald's restaurant.

Additional Info:

A job as a Guest Experience Leader at our McDonald's Restaurant, we give you the chance to grow your skills and meet great people, while earning some outstanding benefits opportunities along the way.

Job Benefits Include:

• Competitive Pay
• Flexible Schedules (done electronically on your phone)!
• Digital Requests for time off - done on your phone!
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Scholarship Opportunities
• College Advisory Services
• Corporate Discounts
• Free On-Line High School Diploma Program
• Free English as a Second Language Classes (must be an employee in high standing and at least 6 months with the company.)
• Career Development & Advancement (We promote from within!)
• Health Insurance Benefits
• Free Employee Meals while working
• 30% Discounts at ALL Participating McDonald's Restaurants in the USA!
• Free Uniforms
• World Class Training (paid)
• Restaurant Employee Awards
• Annual Off-site Employee Holiday Party with Annual Awards, Prizes and Employee Gifts
• In-Store Events, Parties, Contests & Competitions
• Hiring Referral Bonuses
• Rewards, Recognitions and prizes through the ELATE app.

This job posting contains some information about what it is like to work in a McDonald's restaurant, but it is not a complete job description. People who work in a McDonald's restaurant perform a number of different tasks every day, and this posting does not list all of the essential functions of this job.

By applying to this position, I understand that I am applying to work at a restaurant that is owned and operated by the Koury Family if McDonald's Restaurats, not McDonald's USA. I understand that this franchisee is a separate company and a separate employer from McDonald's USA. Any information I provide in this application will be submitted only to the independent franchisee, who is the only company responsible for employment matters at this restaurant. I recognize that the independent franchisee alone will make all decisions concerning employment matters, including hiring, firing, discipline, supervision, staffing, and scheduling. By applying for a job at a franchisee-operated restaurant, I understand that the information I provide will be forwarded to the franchisee organization in order for that organization to reach out to me and process and evaluate my application. I acknowledge that McDonald's USA will not receive a copy of my employment application and will have no involvement in any employment decisions regarding me, including whether I receive an interview or whether I am hired to work for the franchisee. I understand that I need to contact the franchise organization for information about its privacy practices.