Lloydminster is once again home to a top McDonald’s manager, after Tania Argue received a national award.
Argue, who manages the south end McDonald’s, recently received the 2025 Outstanding Manager of the Year award from McDonald’s Canada, which recognizes leadership and community involvement.
The award puts her in the top five per cent of the 1,450 restaurants and managers across Canada.
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“Very excited,” said Argue of the recognition. “Not only for me, but for the team. It’s based off restaurant results as well, which, of course, is not possible without the employees we have working for us. So, it’s an award that recognizes everyone here.”
Argue started as a shift leader at the westn end McDonald’s in 2003 and has been with the company for 22 years.
“The people,” she said when asked what keeps her there. “Everyone treats everyone as if we’ve known each other forever. Whether it’s a new hire or someone that’s been here a long time, everyone is automatically part of our family.
“(I like) the community involvement McDonald’s represents, like the Ronald McDonald House, being involved in many sports tournaments and activities throughout the communities we are located in.”
McDonald’s franchisees and regional leaders nominate managers annually for the award.
“She develops great leaders who now run restaurants across the region,” said local franchisee James Richer. “I’ve known Tania for some time now and I see the strength of her training and leadership. She helps develop crew into well-rounded individuals and sets them up for success on their future path.”
Helping others grow
For Argue, it’s about adapting her training to individual’s goals.
“It’s important to learn everyone’s learning strategy,” she said. “Not everyone learns the same. So, being able to adapt to each person specifically and then working with them on their specific goals.”
She said some crew members want to become general managers, others, shift leaders or trainers. Her role is to meet them where they are and considers patience and understanding as her strengths.
“Getting to know the individual specifically (is important) because not everyone is the same. Everybody has different situations,” she said. “Being able to know your people as individuals and get to know them outside of work as well, not just look at them as an employee.”
Argue said her favourite part of managing is seeing others succeed.
“Seeing them start from a crew. I’ve worked with quite a few that have actually become first assistants, general managers and the high-up positions,” she said, noting staffing can be the hardest part.
“Of course, we know that’s a problem everywhere, but hiring the right people and being able to retain those people is important,” she said.
This year marks the second time Argue has received the national award, after first winning in 2017.
“It’s just a big honour,” she said. “After being here for so long, being
recognized again early on in my career up to now is an accomplishment to me.”
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