Kilkenny restaurant worker's story is 'nothing short of inspirational'

An employee of a popular restaurant chain has told how returning to education as an adult helped her turn her life around.

Lisa Banks, a Customer Care Experience Leader at McDonald’s in Kilkenny, dropped out of school aged 14, with low literacy levels and no confidence.

But the industrious mother-of-four later took adult literacy classes to get back on track and she’s now an advocate for the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA).

Lisa said that her main aim is to help young people - especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds like herself – to understand that education is worth the effort.

“I left a few days after starting secondary school and that was it,” she said.

“Then, I had my first child a fortnight after I turned 18. Back in the day, it seemed like a good idea.

“I thought it would be an easy way out of the family home, but soon found out it wasn’t.”

The 47-year-old, who’s been with her former retail worker husband John (51) for 28 years, is originally from Dublin but now lives in Kilkenny.

With four grown-up children - Danyelle (29), Courtney (27), Jonathan (23) and Taylor (20) – and one grandson, Scott, who’s six, Lisa is an inspirational figure at home – and away.

Indeed, having juggled cleaning jobs as a young mum, she revealed how taking adult literacy classes gave her a renewed desire for learning and to return to the workplace.

“I wasn’t very confident when it came to reading,” she said.

“But I went back as an adult at 39 to get my Leaving Certificate. It was two days a week and it took five years but I passed all the modules. I think every adult and child should have a chance at education.”

An employment opportunity with McDonald’s arose for Lisa during the Covid-19 pandemic and, following an on-site interview with Debbie (Business Manager) and Tommy (Operations Manager), she bagged a job at the Kilkenny restaurant.

“I went in to drop off my CV in my leggings and a T-Shirt, not expecting to be given an interview there and then,” she said.

“I’d actually got myself a takeaway coffee which I’d left in the car...I was shaking all over but all I could think about was that it was getting cold.”

She added: “They said they were looking for staff. And I got an email confirmation of the job the next day.”

Lisa’s role in McDonald’s Kilkenny means she’s responsible for keeping the dining area clean and tidy and her priority is making sure everything meets customers’ satisfaction.

“Customers need to have a good experience when they come into our store, which is open 24/7,” Lisa said.

Two of Lisa’s children have worked with her in the Kilkenny restaurant for the last two years.

“Jonathan is a Crew Member and Taylor is training to be a Floor Manager,” she said.

“We have people here who are going to college to become doctors and lawyers, yet everyone is treated the same. No judgements are made on anyone.

“There’s no preferential treatment as far as shifts are concerned and if you want to climb the career ladder internally, it’s an open playing field.”

Lisa’s inspirational role beyond McDonald’s involves acting as an advocate for adult education via giving talks for Ireland’s National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA). 

“It’s about removing the stigma about adults not being educated,” she said.

“Last year I gave a speech for NALA in Trinity College Dublin for the first time and I did one in Dublin City University (DCU).”

Lisa said her advice to young people today is to “stick out your education no matter how hard it is because there is an end to it”.

Franchisee Chris Pim said Lisa is “nothing short of inspirational”.

“She is an inspiration to me and to everybody in the restaurant,” he said.

“She is an absolute bundle of energy, and she brings so much positivity to everything.

“We’re incredibly proud to have her here as part of our team. She’s fantastic, An absolute legend.”