5 questions with Matt Raper

Matt and Beth Raper have the newest McDonald’s on the planet.

Their sixth McDonald’s opened Wednesday at Regency Lakes at 21st and Greenwich.

“It won’t be the newest for long,” Matt Raper says.

He said the chain opens about 200 restaurants a year.

The Rapers were Shelter Insurance agents in Arkadelphia, Ark., in the late 1980s when they decided to explore restaurant franchises.

Their latest McDonald’s is different from most of the other McDonald’s restaurants around Wichita.

“It’s an interesting look,” Raper said.

He said it’s a clean look with digital menu boards, three drive-through windows and a split front counter.

“The building footprint is different on the inside. … It’s a different way of looking at a McDonald’s.”

Raper said it’s all about improving customer service.

“McDonald’s is relentless for how to improve service.”

Q. Why did you decide to quit the insurance business?

A. At the time, we didn’t really want out of it. … What we were thinking about is, hey, let’s find something that we can open or do in conjunction with that. … We wanted to have an opportunity to build some businesses. We felt like McDonald’s created the best opportunity for us to grow.

Q. Another McDonald’s franchisee convinced you to join the chain. What did he say?

A. He said, “Hey, if you’re interested in a franchise, McDonald’s is the only one.” … It’s one of those companies, it looks as good on the inside as it does on the outside. … We like to work with people, and it’s just a fantastic opportunity to work with so many different people. When you own a McDonald’s restaurant or you work in a McDonald’s restaurant, you literally meet people all over the world. It’s just such a cultural exchange.

Q. Any surprises with the chain?

A. I think probably seeing what a big part of communities that McDonald’s is and understanding … the responsibility that you bring to the McDonald’s system. We call it the keeper of the keys. … And continuing the legacy of what McDonald’s is. Ray Kroc built McDonald’s and started it, and that was one of the cornerstones of what he wanted to be. It’s probably one of the most satisfying parts of being in the business is knowing you’re in a business that can impact your community.

Q. What makes owning a McDonald’s franchise different from other ones?

A. They want you within about a 60-minute drive of any restaurant you own … and I think that’s what makes the difference between McDonald’s and the others. When you’re talking about a McDonald’s owner-operator, you’re talking about someone that’s in the restaurants.

Q. What’s your favorite item on the menu?

A. The McRib. I love ’em. I’m kind of like everybody else. I look forward to this time of year when they come back. … We typically bring it in for six to 12 weeks. … We just love kind of having that cult following and the chance to say it’s back. I suspect if you had it there all year long, it might not have the same pizzazz.

This story was originally published October 29, 2014 at 3:31 PM with the headline "5 questions with Matt Raper."