A couple months ago, local entrepreneur and restaurant franchisee Jimmy Williams purchased a McDonald’s in his hometown of East St. Louis, where he once worked as a crew member.
This is his seventh McDonald’s franchise in the Metro East area and the St. Louis suburbs.
“No day is ever the same when you have a large number of employees that you work with,” he said. “I say ‘work with,’ because no one works for me – they work with me.”
In the next month, Williams will open his eighth location, near Interstate-70 and Broadway. Williams said it’s been a big year for him as an entrepreneur.
And fittingly, Williams will receive the St. Louis American Foundation’s 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Salute to Excellence in Business awards and networking luncheon on Thursday, November 14, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton. The networking reception begins at 11 a.m. and the luncheon program starts at noon.
“I think that the word ‘passion’ is so very important,” Williams said. “You have to want to be an entrepreneur. In my business, it’s important to have a passion about people and food.”
Williams operates the franchises through Estel Foods, Inc., a business based in East St. Louis that he founded and owns.
Williams grew up in East St. Louis and his father, James E. Williams Sr., was the first African-American mayor of the city.
As a teenager, Williams’ first job was at McDonald’s in East St. Louis. After earning his political science degree at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, Williams went into the U.S. Navy. He served as a Navy officer and pilot for eight years.
While stationed in San Diego, he ran into a few St. Louis businessmen. He told them of his ambition to own and operate a McDonald’s franchise. The businessmen helped Williams get into the McDonald’s training program in 1996.
In 1998 Williams bought his first McDonald’s restaurant in Granite City, Illinois.
“It’s a great place to start a career – and to have a career,” Williams said.
When Williams was working at McDonald’s during high school, he said, he learned much from Dr. Ben Davis, the previous owner of the restaurant he now owns.
“From the beginning as a crew person, I learned valuable lessons at McDonald’s that stuck with me and have been part of my success,” he said.
By 2001 Williams had added two more restaurants to his business, one in Pontoon Beach, Illinois and another Granite City restaurant. In 2006 Williams added the first new building to his business when he built a McDonald’s in Bellefontaine Neighbors.
In 2010, Williams opened a store in Jennings, which is the first McDonald’s franchise in Jennings in 22 years. And in 2011, he opened a location north of downtown St. Louis on Tucker Boulevard and received much praise from city leaders.
“It’s very significant for the minority business community to have an African-American owner making this multi-million-dollar investment in the downtown area,” said Michael McMillan, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and former license collector and alderman. “It sets an example to all young people and city residents in the community of what can be done by black businesspeople.”
Between the seven locations, Williams employs more than 400 people.
“How do I keep score?” he said, when asked of his goals and accomplishments. “I keep score by how many people we can help.”
For six years, Williams served on the Executive Board for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis, where he served on a committee that raises money for construction of Ronald McDonald Houses in St. Louis. He continues to work closely with the organization.
Williams also works with the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation and Matthews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club.
Williams said his family is his top priority. His wife, Janet Jackson Williams, is also from East St. Louis. He has a son, James III, and a daughter, Casi. His mother, Lillian Croom Williams, turned 91 this year. Williams said he’s indebted to his family and his East St. Louis community for helping him along the way.
“It’s all about people,” he said. “I get to interact with a lot of people each and every day. Many individuals in East St. Louis have helped me in my successes.”
The 14th Annual Salute to Excellence in Business Awards & Networking Luncheon will be held Thursday, November 14, 2013 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, networking reception at 11 am, luncheon program at noon. Tickets are $100 for VIP/Preferred seating, $75 for general admission. Call 314-533-8000 or visit www.stlamerican.com for more information or to purchase tickets.
