McDonald’s Goderich general manager recognised with national award
- May 14
- 2 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
By Dan Rolph
The general manager of McDonald’s in Goderich is being recognized as one of the company’s top managers in Canada.
Amanda Walton, the general manager of the Goderich McDonald’s, has received the McDonald’s Outstanding Manager of the Year award for 2026, which is presented annually to the top five per cent of managers across the country.
“I’m honoured,” said Walton. “It’s definitely a privilege.”
For Walton, who has been with the company for around 15 years, it is the second time she has been recognized by McDonald’s for her leadership, having last received the same award in 2021.
McDonald’s Goderich owner Justin Reid said winning the award is already a notable achievement, but earning it twice is rare in Canada.
“It’s a pretty prestigious award,” he said.
Reid said Walton cares for the restaurant as if it were her own, and that her strong connection with her team makes her an effective leader both in the workplace and the wider community.
“She’s just very good with people,” he said. “That’s the majority of leading the team.
“She’s very motivated in that area, and she’s very people driven. She likes to see her people succeed. She doesn’t like to take any credit for stuff. It’s all for her people.”
When asked what it was that led to her receiving the award, Walton credited her team.
“(It was) the managers and the crew,” she said. “It’s definitely them and not me. They just make me look good.”
With 2025 particularly being challenging a challenging year at the Goderich location due to renovations, Reid said Walton was vital in ensuring things went smoothly through a 21-day shutdown and the restaurant’s reopening. He said she kept the team connected and organized through the weeks-long closure and ensured they were supported throughout that time.
When the restaurant reopened, Reid said, the transition went smoothly thanks to Walton’s leadership.
“She got this place back open and energized,” he said.