US McDonald's Honours Indian-Origin Employee With $40,000 For His Service

McDonald’s is often associated with burgers and fries, but a heartwarming story from the United States, shows the global fast-food giant is also about loyalty, dedication, and family-like bonds.

Pargan Singh, popularly known as Balbir, an Indian citizen, was recently celebrated by the McDonald’s restaurant in Saugus, Massachusetts, for his 40 years of dedicated service. To mark the occasion, the restaurant organised a special dinner in his honour and presented him with a reward of $40,000, equivalent to approximately Rs 35.5 lakh.

Balbir’s journey at McDonald’s began alongside his father, unaware that this would become a four-decade-long career. Starting from cleaning tables, picking up trash, and assisting in the kitchen, he gradually mastered

every aspect of the restaurant’s operations. Within just a few months, his dedication and work ethic earned him a promotion to swing manager.

Lindsay Wallin, the restaurant owner, praised Balbir for his unwavering commitment. “He started working with his father and quickly became like family to us,” she said. Today, Wallin oversees four McDonald’s locations, and Balbir remains a key pillar of her team. “All our employees love him and affectionately call him ‘Papa Bear’. His cheerful demeanour and dedication make him an inspiration to everyone,” she further said.

For Balbir, the affection is mutual. Speaking at the dinner, he expressed that the workplace has always felt like a second home, which explains why he has remained with the same employer for four decades.