Our Story
The story of MCDMateos is rooted in family, perseverance, and opportunity.
At six years old, Carlos Mateos Sr. immigrated to the United States from Cuba with his family in search of a better future. He began his professional career in law enforcement, dedicating 17 years to serving his community. While that chapter was impactful, Carlos knew he was ready for a new challenge, one that would allow him to build something lasting for his family and others.
That opportunity came through McDonald’s.
The journey as a franchisee began with a leap of faith, as the Mateos family moved from New Jersey to Virginia to pursue the opportunity McDonald’s extended to them. Arriving in the DMV without knowing a single person, they faced new school systems, new communities, and the challenge of building a new business from the ground up. Together, they leaned on one another, each family member finding a way to contribute. Progress came step by step, growing from a crawl to a walk.
One restaurant became two, and two became four. Along the way, the Mateos family fell in love with the McFamily they were building. Before long, everyone had a hand in the business, from day-to-day operations to Ronald McDonald House Charities and community outreach events. McDonald’s became more than a business; it became part of who they are. You could say ketchup began flowing in their veins.
After becoming McDonald’s franchisees in 1999, the Mateos family proudly grew MCDMateos into an organization that now operates more than 50 McDonald’s restaurants serving communities across DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York.
Where We Are Today
Today, MCDMateos is continued by the next generation.
Carlos Mateos Jr. has been a part of MCDMateos since 2011 and has since partnered with his father, continuing the family legacy with passion and purpose. Having grown immersed in the business, Carlos learned McDonald’s from the inside out; starting as a crew member and working every position in the restaurant. That firsthand experience shapes his leadership and deep respect for the people who make each restaurant run.
Under the Mateos’ duo leadership, MCDMateos places a strong emphasis on giving back to the communities it serves. Community partnerships, local events, and meaningful outreach are central to the organization’s mission. The belief is simple: McDonald’s restaurants should be more than a place to eat; they should be places that uplift, support, and bring people together.
While the story of MCDMateos continues to grow and evolve, its values remain unchanged: family, hard work, opportunity, and community. From the first restaurant to where the organization stands today, MCDMateos remains grateful for the people and the communities who make this journey possible!
“Know where you are. Know where you’re heading. But never forget where you came from.”
-L. Carlos Mateos