Wes Clerc and his son, Rick, pose by a Ronald McDonald statue outside of the Fairmont restaurant on Monday during Wes’ retirement party. After 43 years here, Wes has retired as owner/operator and Rick is taking over the store. Submitted photo.

FAIRMONT– Fairmont McDonald’s long-time owner/operator, Wes Clerc, retired at the beginning of this week after 57 years with the classic fast food restaurant. His son, Rick, has taken on as owner/operator of the store.

Wes has retired as not only owner/operator from Fairmont’s store, which he’s been at for 43 years, but from the other stores in Blue Earth, St. James, Windom and Marshall which he has come to own over the years.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wes started working at McDonald’s at the ripe age of 16. He took on the job with the goal of raising some money to go to prom. Little did he know that his first job would turn into a long and fulfilling career that would go on to span decades.

He continued working at store number 65 in Milwaukee throughout his time in high school and college.

“The more I worked, the more I enjoyed it and the more I saw the opportunities that presented themselves in terms of the business,” Wes said.

Initially he had plans to become an elementary school teacher but ended up changing his area of study to business his junior year of college.

In 1969, Wes became an employee of McDonald’s corporation and in 1970, he decided to work full-time with McDonald’s and was transferred to another location on the opposite side of town.

“Logistically it was a challenge so I was transferred back to the north side of Milwaukee and ended up in Shorewood, Wisconsin,” Wes said.

He continued to work his way up through the corporation from assistant manager to general manager. He even ended up going back to manage the store he first started working at.

“That was kind of fun. I did that for a year and was then promoted to area supervisor and oversaw four stores,” Wes said.

Several years later, Wes was promoted again to field consultant. With that position he worked with owner/operators in different communities throughout southeastern and northeastern Wisconsin.

“At a point I had to make a decision if I wanted to do more traveling or spend more time with my family. I decided to spend more time with my family and this was an opportunity to do that,” Wes said of coming to own Fairmont’s store.

He shared that the company had provided him with the right experience and he had its support in getting his own store. In July of 1980, after moving to Fairmont with his wife, Linda, and their children, Wes took on a new position as owner/operator of Fairmont’s store.

“It had been opened in October 1978 by an owner/operator who didn’t really have the operational experience or background to drive the success amid the pressures of being an independent business owner so he sold it back to the company and they ran it for a year and a half before I came here,” Wes said.

Wes would go on to own and operate Fairmont’s store for a total of 43 years–from 1980 to 2023. In all of those years the company has undergone a number of changes and so, too, has Fairmont’s store.

Wes shared that the store actually used to be located where the parking lot is now. It was a brick building, painted red and white. Wes described it as vintage 1978.

In 2018, when the store was 40 years old, it was torn down and rebuilt to be what it is today.

However, other cosmetic changes were done to the interior of the building between those years. Wes said that in 1985, 1992 and 2006 significant changes were made to the interior. For example, the iconic play place was removed in 2006.

Wes explained that while it’s his store, most of the changes have been mandated by the company. However, as owner/operator, he has gotten to choose how and where he advertises and what local groups, organizations and events he and the store supports.

When asked about other changes, Wes said, “the menu is a lot different in some ways. The ways we prepare the sandwiches is different. Changes in technology are huge. The way we take the orders, used to be one on one with employees and now there’s the option of putting in an order before you get here so it’s ready when you arrive.”

Over 43 years, Wes has certainly seen his fair share of employees come through the store. However, he’s been fortunate to have some long-time loyal employees, too.

“That’s been a high point. We’ve always had a very strong base of good quality individuals working for us,” Wes said.

Jane Harris started out at the store when she was in high school. She left for just a couple years in the 90s before returning. Thirty years later, she serves as area supervisor of two locations, including Fairmont’s store.

“Wes was the one who coached me in my management development,” Harris said.

She added that Wes was instrumental in developing a core management team at Fairmont’s store before he purchased the other stores.

“Wes not only helped with professional development, but also personal development. He’s always been wiling to coach you through any life issues that come up. He’s been a Godly man that’s helped in that way, too,” Harris said.

Wes and Linda’s blended family includes five children, all of whom have worked at McDonald’s at some point in their lives.

“They’ve grown up with McDonald’s in terms of the responsibilities. It’s nice to have self-supporting older children,” Wes said.

As for his favorite part of his 57-year career with McDonald’s, Wes said it’s been the people.

“Unfortunately sometimes that’s the worst part about the job; that’s just human nature. People can come together to get a job done and it’s the leadership that keeps that focus and continues with it toward growth,” Wes said.

He also noted that he and the employees have known a lot of regulars who have come in over the years. In that way, while McDonald’s is part of a large chain, it feels like a small, local establishment.

“It’s a nice community. We know their orders and their families, their likes and dislikes,” Wes said.

Even after a fulfilling and successful career, Wes admitted that he had never thought much of retirement.

“I thought I’d work forever,” he said with a laugh.

However, with one son, Rick, in the business, and his son Wesley, recently joining again, Wes knew Fairmont’s store and their other stores would be in good hands.

Rick lives in Victoria and is already owner/operator of five stores in the metro area and is now taking on Fairmont’s store, plus the other four nearby locations to be owner/operator for a total of 10 stores.

In his retirement, Wes would like to spend more time with his 16 grandchildren, which range in age from 11 to 26.

“It’s a wide range but there’s still a lot of youth activities from Minneapolis area to Sioux Falls area to Indianapolis,” Wes said.

He’d also like to travel more with Linda. The couple recently celebrated its 35th wedding anniversary.

With Wes’ retirement, the couple does plan to relocate from Fairmont, which has been their home for 43 years, to Chaska, Minnesota.

While his retirement is official, Wes will have one more reception in Mankato in late August for friends and other owner/operators in the area to celebrate. On Monday an open house was held at McDonald’s in Fairmont for employees and community members to celebrate Wes’ retirement.

“I don’t think reality has set in yet, but I knew it was the right time. We were experiencing some good successes in the business and had the right leadership in place. I felt there are other chapters to experience and it was time to start another journey,” Wes said.