Portsmouth City Council leader Donna Jones meets ‘inspiring’ McDonald’s entrepreneur

Donna Jones, leader of Portsmouth City Council, has met with one of the city’s homegrown entrepreneurs, Grant Copper, to learn how he went from McDonald’s crew member in Commercial Road in the 1980s to one of the largest McDonald’s franchisees in the UK.

Councillor Jones visited the newly-refurbished McDonald’s at Ocean Retail Park for its reopening on Tuesday 26th September 2017 to learn about the experience of a self-made local man who now employs around 500 people in Portsmouth.

Mr. Copper owns 21 restaurants in the south, five of which are in Portsmouth.

Councillor Jones, who also leads on regeneration and economic development at the council, said: “Grant has gone from working in McDonald's in Commercial Road to owning the franchises for every McDonald's between Fareham and Shoreham. It's an impressive story and one that can inspire business people in Portsmouth, whether they're established or just starting up.

“Portsmouth City Council supports small businesses and entrepreneurs and Grant is a shining example of what can be achieved.

“His business gives a lot back to the city. His restaurants generate millions for the local economy and offer some great apprenticeship opportunities.”