BY JASON COHEN
For some people McDonald’s
is just fast food, but for
Tony Rodriguez, it’s much
more. Rodriguez owns 13 locations
in the Bronx/Manhattan,
creates jobs for people and
gives back to the community.
One of his franchises, 1600
Bruckner Blvd. in Soundview,
recently underwent a renovation.
On April 23, a grand
re-opening was held and Rodriguez
was joined by Assemblyman
Kenny Burgos,
Councilmen Mark Gjonaj
and Ruben Diaz, Community
Board 9 District Manager William
Rivera, Bronx Chamber
of Commerce Executive
Director Lisa Sorin and 43rd
Precinct Commander Keiyon
Ramsey.
Rodriguez praised his employees,
many of which have
been with him for several
years.
“They are the ones that
make it happen and I’m very
proud of all of them,” he said.
The restaurant, which
re-opened April 10, features
modern decor and technology
offering table service and selforder
kiosks and a 24-hour
drive-thru.
In addition to the ribbon
cutting, there was an
Earth Day celebration April
24 where Assemblyman Burgos
and the local Girl Scouts
and Boy Scouts gave away 100
white spruce saplings to the
fi rst 100 customers and 50 Botanical
Garden passes to the
fi rst 50 customers bringing in
a canned food item.
Throughout the pandemic,
Rodriguez was instrumental
in securing many donations
with Martin Brower Distributors
for shelters and food
distributions throughout the
Bronx.
“I’m proud to be able to
stand alongside this gentleman,”
said Gjonaj, who is the
chair of the small business
committee. “Tony never forgot
where he came from. As a
child I would see commercials
for McDonald’s, never once
The grand re-opening of McDonald’s at 1600 Bruckner Boulevard. Photos by Jason Cohen
thinking that I could afford to
McDonald’s. To me a Big Mac
was something you dreamed
of.”
DISCOVER WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A RAVEN
SPRING OPEN HOUSE FOR CURRENT 7TH
AND 8TH GRADE STUDENTS
SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 • 10AM - 1PM
Reservations Recommended • Small Building Tours Available!
For More Information, Email admissions@straymondhighschool.org or Call (718) 824-5050 x106
AFFORDABLE TUITION
Tuition
Frozen for all Four Years
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A 22 PR. 30-MAY 6, 2021 BTR
In 1973, Rodriguez started
as crew at a McDonald’s in
Brooklyn. He went on to pursue
a career in law enforcement
with the NYPD. After
several years, he returned
to McDonald’s where he has
been an owner and operator
for more than three decades.
In fact, many employees
have received their high
school diploma through the
McDonald’s Archways into
Opportunity scholarship, a
McDonald’s program that provides
eligible people an opportunity
to earn a high school diploma,
receive upfront college
tuition assistance, access free
education advising services
and learn English as a second
language.
Many of the attendees refl
ected on the impact Rodriguez
and McDonald’s have
had on the Bronx.
Captain Ramsey told Rodriguez
this was “his favorite
McDonalds’s because the
other one didn’t hire him.” But
all jokes aside, he reminisced
how he took his wife there in
1998 on one of their fi rst dates
and his junior varsity basketball
team often went there after
games.
Burgos praised Rodriguez
for what he does for the community.
“If you’re a teenager and
you have three or four bucks
in your pocket you come here
and get a hot meal, but more
importantly you live in the
neighborhood and need a job
you come here,” he explained.
“I think this is what’s most
important of what McDonalds’
does. I’m so happy to see
it renovated.”
Soundview McDonald’s
reopens modernized
restaurant
TACHS EXAM
CODE 115
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships and Financial Aid Available
www.straymondhighschool.org • 718.824.5050x106
2151 St. Raymond Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462
For more information email admissions@straymondhighschool.org
AFFOR
Now Accepting Applications for September 2021
MASKS
MANDATORY
College Preparatory Curriculum
Honors Division
100% College Acceptances
Individualized Course of Study
Advanced Placement Courses
State of the Art Technology
Three new Science Labs
Two new Computer Labs
Music and Art Studios
College Counseling
Championship Athletic Teams
Intramural Sports
Extracurricular Clubs & Activitie
Community Service Program
Fitness Center
Batting Cages
Fully Air-Conditioned Classrooms
Chromebook Program
College Credit Program
with Pace University
/www.straymondhighschool.org
/www.straymondhighschool.org
link
link
link
link