McDonald’s 50th Birthday in BR

A Milestone for Charles Valluzzo Family

BATON ROUGE — Charlie Valluzzo and the Valluzzo family celebrated 50 years in the McDonald’s business with a birthday party at their original McDonald’s on Plank Road.  It was an emotional time for Valluzzo as he paid tribute to all of those who have made his family business a success:
•    His father, who started the business.
•    The hundreds of thousands of customers who patronize the stores.
•    Suppliers such as Coca Cola, who make the business possible.
•    More than 1,500 local employees who serve the community.
•    The members of the Valluzzo family who have worked long hours and endured many sacrifices to keep the business going.
Valluzzo recounted many memories of the business, including the time his employees prepared 15,000 burgers in 30 minutes to serve handicapped kids.
McDonald’s and the Valluzzo family have been almost everywhere in Baton Rouge when a need has arisen — from the Jr. Olympics and Sr. Olympics to Our Lady of the Lake and Mary Bird Perkins, Woman’s Hospital, the Salvation Army, and the Red Cross.
“McDonald’s taught us to give back to our community, and we have felt that was our obligation,” he said.  Many of the firm’s customers came by to return the thanks and sample the original 15-cent burgers, which were served.
Some such as Amy Plaisance of Parents magazine said her success would not have been possible without Charlie Valluzzo and McDonald’s.  “When no one else believed in us, he did!” she said.
Valluzzo toasted the first 50 years and the next 50 to come.

— Woody Jenkins