During National Military Appreciation Month, Florida McDonald’s restaurants are highlighting local owner/operators who have served their country.
Among them is David Costa, a retired U.S. Air Force major who owns 21 restaurants from Navarre to Crestview and Port St. Joe.
While serving in the U.S. Air Force, he began training to become a McDonald’s owner/operator, spending his days going from his work at the base straight to McDonald’s to train in operations of the restaurant.
After three years of training and more than 4,000 hours, Costa retired from the Air Force and became a McDonald’s owner/operator.
His Air Force experience has helped him along the way.
“A military background truly lends itself to a successful career at McDonald’s, because from an organizational standpoint they are very similar,” he said. “The different jobs I’ve held in the military also greatly helped me in my career with McDonald’s — from contract negotiations on behalf of the U.S. Air Force to troubleshooting and problem solving when I served as a Titan II Missile Commander.
“Moreover, being able to manage and lead people is a skill that the U.S. military taught me that really helped prepare me for being a McDonald’s owner/operator.”
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Editor's Note: A previous version of this article contained an image of David Costa's son, not David Costa, a spokesperson stated. We've replaced the photo with the correct one.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NWF restaurant owner credits military experience for success