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photo by Brie Cohen
Courtesy Corp. President Rick Lommen hands out food orders at the drive through window of the McDonald's on North Bridge Avenue on Wednesday. Courtesy Corp. now owns this McDonald's restaurant.
N. Bridge Ave. McDonald's sold to Wis. company
Published Thursday, October 29, 2009
An Onalaska, Wis.-based company that owns two score of McDonald’s restaurants in the Midwest has purchased the one on North Bridge Avenue.
And it will be remodeled. The company president said Wednesday that the remodeling work begins Monday.
Courtesy Corp. also bought two McDonald’s restaurants in Austin. All three were purchased effective Wednesday from Austin resident Dave Scherer, who owns McDonald’s restaurants on Main Street in downtown Albert Lea, at Trail’s Travel Center on the east edge of Albert Lea and one in Clear Lake, Iowa. He purchased the Albert Lea restaurants in 1990.
Courtesy Corp. President Rick Lommen was in Albert Lea on Wednesday to work the lunch hour with his new crew.
He said he cannot ask people to do work if he hasn’t worked side by side with them. He said training is a big part of Courtesy Corp., and said “we can only do that by working shoulder to shoulder with our people.”
The McDonald’s at 2808 N. Bridge Ave. is 20 years old. Lommen said it will be remodeled to have a contemporary feel, much like the downtown McDonald’s. The downtown McDonald’s was built anew and opened its doors in December 2007 with a theme called “Forever Young,” part of the first major redesign for McDonald’s locations nationwide since the 1970s.
Photo by Brie Cohen
Rick Lommen, Courtesy Corp. President, scoops french fries into containers while helping out at the McDonald’s at 2808 N. Bridge Ave. In addition to this McDonald’s, Courtesy Corp. also purchased two McDonald’s in Austin.
McDonald’s is headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill. It is the franchisor for its restaurants and it must OK transactions of restaurants with its name. Lommen said the corporation this keeps its franchisee owners geographically close to their restaurants. He couldn’t, for instance, own McDonald’s restaurants in Minnesota and buy some in California.
In this way, the ownership knows their communities, he said.
Albert Lea is “a great community, and we’re very excited to be here,” Lommen said.
Courtesy Corp. now owns 42 McDonald’s restaurants in western Wisconsin, southern Minnesota and in Decorah, Iowa.
He said the remodeling of the North Bridge Avenue restaurant will include flatscreen televisions and wi-fi access. He also said he liked the restaurant’s proximity to Interstate 90. He said he would be competing more with the restaurants near the interchange, rather than the downtown McDonald’s that Scherer owns.
Courtesy Corp. this spring plans to build a new McDonald’s to replace the one at 1009 W. Oakland Ave. in Austin, which is 40 years old. Lommen said it is the busiest of the three he purchased. The one at 1402 14th St. in Austin is seven years old.
The amount paid for the three restaurants was not disclosed.
Courtesy Corp. celebrates a golden anniversary this year. Lommen’s father, Dick Lommen, began working as a teenager at a McDonald’s in La Crosse, Wis., in 1959. He had his degree in business administration, and instead of attending law school, he bought that McDonald’s in the spring of 1969 after its owner died. Dick Lommen is now 65 and is chairman of the company board.
The family has connections to southern Minnesota. Dick’s parents had a dairy farm near Spring Grove. According to the La Crosse Tribune, his father died when he was 5, and his mother moved the family to La Crosse when he was 7.
Rick Lommen noted that he has relatives in Austin.
He said he hopes to strengthen ties to the McDonald’s charities, such as the Ronald McDonald Houses. Courtesy also offers scholarships and, he said, takes seriously its role as the first job for many people. He said there is room for careers with Courtesy and said he realizes many work at a McDonald’s and move on, too.
He said Courtesy has an emphasis on training and works to teach “life skills” that stay with workers the rest of their careers, whether they remain with Courtesy Corp. or go elsewhere. Appearance, being on time and hospitality are among the skills emphasized, he said.
Rick Lommen said he started with his father’s company doing maintenance and has since worked every spot on a restaurant crew and in management.
He said he knew about the opportunity to buy the three restaurants after being approached by Scherer. Courtesy entered the Minnesota market eight years ago after buying five McDonald’s restaurants in Rochester. The company has 3,000 employees.
Art Scherer opened the McDonald’s on Oakland in Austin 40 years ago, said Dave Scherer.
While some of Scherer’s employees transferred locations when the purchase happened, no employees new to Courtesy Corp. were let go. In fact, Lommen talked about adding employees.
Dave Scherer’s grandmother, Dorothy Irish, opened the first McDonald’s of the family in Mason City, Iowa, in 1959.
When his father retired, Dave Scherer purchased the Oakland restaurant from him. In 2002, he opened another McDonald’s near Ankeny’s Mini Mart. Scherer purchased the McDonald’s in downtown Albert Lea in 1990.
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Comments
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 5:24 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Warhog (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I fail to see wingo where you get that from from what is printed, and I have NEVER SEEN A PICKY DRESS CODE other than no shoes, no shirt, the usual stuff, come on were are talking Mac and Don's here. I see nothing about importing people from another state either.
Besides I like the food, and have not lived in the 15th century for a while but I have lived in the 12th century a while when I use to travel the globe going to some unsavory places that were hot and dry.
Even they had Mac and Don's and Domino's but the goat cheese pizza was a little hard at first but you got use to it and now I like it.
Posted by jensen4sum (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 8:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm from Onalaska and the Lommen family has done many great things for the communities they are in. Give them a chance as our stores in the La Crosse area are all top notch. I too have family in the Albert Lea area and I hope you support the new owners, they are wonderful people and they give back to their communities.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow an attack on someone who is willing to invest in Albert Lea. Why does it not suprise me. Boycott them why??? Because they come from out of town? Because they provide jobs? You have to love the new socialist world we live in. If you are not part of our party (town or group) we will boycott you. Be happy they did not shut the doors like the mobil station. Wait that was the state who did that because of their silly anti-competion law that set gas prices so that no one can provide a free market in gas.
Profit is not a bad word......
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 9:38 p.m.
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Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 28, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you say give them a chance, what chance did they give some of the workers that have worked at these locations.
Posted by sloppyjoe11 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:59 a.m.
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Posted by sloppyjoe11 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
you must be a lommen or you work for them
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 8:08 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's weird how dfl turns this political.
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/S12201...
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:04 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by okiedokie (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 11:39 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by inobmaz (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Honestly, Are people arguing about flippin McDonalds. Man I think some people have way too much time on their hands....
Posted by digger (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Reappling for jobs is not a new concept with new owners. It happens everyday, just be glad they didn't close it down and walk away.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 1:01 p.m.
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Posted by bns2107 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 1:01 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by myname (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by carguy (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome to the world of corprate business, If you were not retained by the new owners it was probably for good reason, your days were probably numbered and I bet you probably knew it. Good luck to the new owners!
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 2:33 p.m.
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Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to know why my comments were removed. I have first hand knowledge of how they handled their rehiring and letting go of the employees. What is it? They can't handle the truth, sweep it under the rug.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom of speech, NOT for this article!
Posted by happy1 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Really wingo really. Did you also know that if this company didn't buy this Mcdonalds from the previous owner that the previous owner was about to lose it because he wasn't willing to remodel and do other things the corporation had asked him to do for some time now. As far as the employees go they were all told they had to reapply even all of the managers. So as far as I am concerned this is a very good thing for the Northbridge location.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 3:15 p.m.
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Posted by Warhog (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ahhhh.....................wingo the tribune is a business they have THE RIGHT to do what they have done. You are posting here because they allow it. You have freedom of speech, BUT THEY HAVE THE FREEDOM TO CONTROL CONTENT it's their site, it's their business.
If you want a site for Wingo's Rant's better get you own web page, then you will have freedom of speech, you will control content, now that was easy wasn't it.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ahhh............Warhog, if you consider it ranting then you need to learn more. I have tried to go by their rules as far as not being liable, if what I said wasn't just my opinion then I guess it's time to quit the comment section. I never wanted it to quit, but now I wonder.
Posted by myname (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since my other post got removed I will try again.
Why should you be afraid of change? I am sure there are a number of reasons why there are new owners there. If they bought all of the other ones, how long until they get the other stores? The new owners are looking at remodeling it will be a plus for the crew and for customers. Good luck to the new owners I hope you do well.
Posted by sloppyjoe11 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to the person who said wow are we really ranting about mcdonalds, its not mcdonalds for some of us that was a career choice and they just came in and took my career away like it didnt mean anything. it meant alot to me and my family.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well said sloppyjoe11, I have many friends and family that worked there too. I feel for all of you.
Posted by bns2107 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 4:51 p.m.
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Posted by gowild (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was in Subway the other night, they are hiring. now they might have to have wrestling matches to see who gets the job.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow you talk about the free market and your comment gets removed.... Long live the Socialist States of America.
Posted by sloppyjoe11 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 7:11 p.m.
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Posted by Warhog (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh Boy............................now it's a conspiracy.
Posted by wakemaker (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a business owner and no I have nothing to do with McDonalds. I have NEVER let a good employee go. If people are let go they are not showing value to the employer. As the owner that is his/her right, period. Owners don't let good employees go for no reason. Those who say they do are usually the lazy employees (or the ones that steal) trying to save face. Again, good employees make me money... I tend to keep those employees!
Posted by bns2107 (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The people that did the rehiring and the firing had NEVER, i repeat NEVER worked with the people they kept or fired, nor did they ask the store managers how this person worked. The people and management that had worked with these people had no say in if the person was worth keeping or letting go. How do the new people know if they let someone that was good go? Maybe the person wasnt the most outspoken or didnt say much at their interview but that doesnt mean that they arent a good worker. Maybe that person was the hardest worker that store had but they were just quiet?!?! possibility?! I just dont see how when you have never worked side by side with someone how you can know how they work and how well or not so well they do their job.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wakemaker - I don't like what you said, some of those let go were my family and friends and they were GOOD employees. I also owned a business of my own and valued good employees, but not all employees let go are bad. Some of the ones let good were because they didn't meet the new owners standards of appearance. Just because you have longer hair, piecings or tats doesn't mean you are not a good worker. That is discrimanation.
Posted by Cobb (anonymous) on October 29, 2009 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wingo -- discrimination is judging someone based race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. a sloppy appearance can cost you a job, you should be clean cut, take out your facial piercings, and look presentable.
Posted by sloppyjoe11 (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 5:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
they should have given all of us a chance and decided in 30 days even a week that was the right thing to do.
Posted by bns2107 (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 7:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I cant believe the tribune right now, STOP deleting the facts. I agree with sloppyjoe11, something more than a weekend. I got my call on friday, so if I would have lost my job I had the weekend to find a new one?? People dont usually do interviews on the weekends.
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am glad that dfl uses the faux news system of debating, state your opinion and then blast the other person for lack of facts and then call them something having to do with being unAmerican (IE. socialist, anything to do with France, communist) .
Posted by tengstrom (Tim Engstrom) on October 30, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Relax, bns2107 and others: A story is forthcoming to verify your assertions. Look for it later this morning.
Posted by bns2107 (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tengstrom, when you worked there you know first hand the facts, and how things went, all i was tryin to do is explain that i think it is good that someone new was coming in but the way they did it was horribly wrong. But you keep deleting my posts while im speaking the truth from the front line.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cobb - Just because you have piecings or longer hair does not make you unpresentable, a lot of people with those are cleaner than the preppy looking ones. It is still discrimination to hire and fire on that basis. I would rather hire someone with piecings that does their job than a clean cut person who stands around and waits for other people to do their job.
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If a story is coming to verify your assertions, then why all the deletions?
Posted by alhs1975 (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NoDFL could find a left wing conspiracy for world socialism in a kid's tee ball game. Such is the paranoia of the whack-job right wingers.
As for me, I'll have a Big Mac, fries and a Diet Coke in a left handed glass.
Posted by myname (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You guys are forgetting that the McDonalds corporation does have guidelines for appearance. Some of the franchisee people choose to follow that guideline a little closer then what others do. I know first hand on that. Yeah it sucks you guys lost your job since there are many people without a job right now myself included. However it is the decision of the new owner on how they want to run everything including hiring and firing people. BNS just because you worked there does not mean that you know ALL the facts. Anytime there is a buyout there are many facts that the employees don't know about. Once again I know from experience.
Posted by Warhog (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why the personal attacks alhs1975 talk about paranoia.
All good socialists know that we watch fox news and glen beck from our deep underground bunkers in an undisclosed locations.
I have wall to wall red shag carpeting with a disco ball in my bunker. ;)
We go to mac and don's as well, we may have even stood in the same line.
We have to ask for the RIGHT HAND COKE CUPS there behind the counter, and no diet stuff or salads.
Lighten up end enjoy life.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny there were a lot of post deleted. Just wonder why alhs1975 singles me out. Oh I know if you don't agree with his leftist views than you should have your speech contoled. I will say it again long live alhs1975's One world Socialist Government. God help us all......
Again and again instead of using fact we get attacks from the socialist. Just once try and use facts lefty and alhs1975 it may help you to see the light....
Posted by leftys2221 (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What facts do you use? When we state facts you say that they are not true. Who is really trying to control everything here? You argue and argue with opinion but when someone else does it they are just "attacking you." Here again is your name calling form of arguing. Does it make you feel better inside to call people names?
People who have different opinions then dfl can not speak with out being called names or being told how much better he is then us.
What "light" are you talking about? Your political opinion? The fact that as you put it wanting more people to have jobs is wrong? I am truly lost here.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 30, 2009 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Quote " I am truly lost here." Finally a true statement based in fact from you lefty2221.
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