Nice to meet ya: The Bentons

Imagine it’s the year 1998, you’re in a small, small town. One blinking yellow light was the only traffic signal in town; you had to buy a membership to a “club” so you could have an adult drink while out for the evening.

Putting in a McDonald's restaurant was risky; the population density was a lot less in Dripping Springs than it is today, to say the least, and it was mostly ranchers at that. But that’s the foresight of Michael Benton, originally from Arkansas, moved to Shreveport, but didn’t at first want to leave his comfortable, secure job. Starting small, with only one restaurant decades ago, the Bentons today own 19 McDonald’s here in Austin and are one of the largest family-owned McDonald’s franchises in Texas.

“Dad worked for Western Electric as an accountant and then turned into a computer systems designer, back when the computers were probably as big as this office,” son Allen Benton said.

A franchise opening in Vicksburg, Mississippi for a McDonald’s happened and the elder Benton was convinced to join in as a partner. “As they say, one thundering, stormy night… they [parents Michael and Dianne] sold everything they had, and bought 51 percent of the Vicksburg restaurant,” Allen continued.

“Dad went to Hamburger University in Chicago. (Afterwards) We left in two cars, two kids, no dogs and headed from Shreveport to Vicksburg, Mississippi.”

Not uncommon sometimes, partnerships break up, and the Bentons found themselves in Marshall, Texas. Both Allen and his sister, Becki were not privileged and found they were working at 15 years old, Allen, joining the family business by flipping burgers.

But Becki was different. “My dad said, okay, you don't have to work for me anymore because you can drive, but you still have to work. So I sold ladies clothing at a little boutique shop. Great job for a high schooler,” said Becki Benton Russell.

Both attended college and graduated with degrees. Becki with a B.S. in Design and minoring in business at Texas Women’s University, and Allen followed his dream of being a pilot, by attending LeTourneau University in their Aviation program.

“We were here for Christmas and dad's like we're growing and we need help. Are you now ready to come to Austin and I said sure,” Becki said.

Allen and Becki have become legacy owners, both earning certification on their own, learning from their parents and proudly carrying on the family business. Allen took a McDonalds manager’s job in Longview not long after, the business portfolio grew by getting a foothold in Austin. Then the Dripping Springs franchise came about.

“At that point in time, the community was still pretty small, a little bit of a roll of the dice,” Allen said. “It's an important restaurant because it serves a good community… When we first opened, it was not busy at all. It has gotten busy now. As Dripping Springs has grown, and the economic diversity in Dripping Springs grows along with that, we're able to have a crew that is probably 85 percent out of Dripping Springs now (not driving in from Austin).”

Although Covid hurt businesses, the take-out part kept the store open. “When your employees see you doing stuff to help keep them safe, they appreciate it. And so, there are some people saying I'm not coming back to work. But I get it. Let us know when you're ready,” said Allen. “We still don't have our lobbies open to dine in yet… in Dripping Springs, the lobby is a community-gathering place, that's an important part. As we start to open lobbies, I would foresee Dripping Springs being one of the first ones just because of the community… You get guys in there in the morning. Everybody knows each other. It's really funny. You go there right now. They're all sitting in their trucks out in the parking lot talking to each other.”

Over their many years, the Bentons have hired tens of thousands, training and helping many to learn a new skill and write their own success story. Several Benton employees rose from entry-level positions and now serve as managers of large-scale operations, including supervising multiple restaurants.

Both siblings, having experienced Central Texas now live in the area, Allen outside of Dripping Springs proper and Becki in Bee Cave. Both are active members of their respective communities and support many local charities, like FFA and Founders Day. But their main philanthropic efforts are behind the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“We've got a McDonald house here on the campus at Dell Children's Medical and we've got some family rooms scattered through four hospitals, and maybe five here in the Austin area that have little mini Ronald McDonald Houses in the hospital … they have people's carts that they push around the hospital, a little cart that's got just sundries of things that people might need, because you usually don't go to the hospital at planned times,” Becki said. “Also Healing Hearts for those families that lose a little one.” There are other charities that they contribute to, but the RMHC is the major focus.

“For Dripping Springs, if somebody had a critically ill child, they could instead of driving from Dripping Springs to North Austin every day, stay in the Ronald McDonald house, which is walking distance from the hospital, and is something a bit nicer than a hotel room. Meals are provided,” Becki said.

But much more is also provided, support and going through the same experience with other families. The big part is keeping the family unit whole and together, with play areas for both well siblings and hospital patients. For more information on Ronald McDonald Charities in Central Texas see their website at rmhc-ctx.org.