MEET THE LANE FAMILY
PHILANTHROPY
For the Lane Family, being owner/operators of McDonald’s is not only about providing a place where families can have a meal delivered quickly, with friendly service, it’s about how they can truly impact the lives of the families in their community for generations to come. Because to the Lane’s, carrying the McDonald’s name enables them to do great things for those around them.
Bob’s philanthropic outreach began with sponsorships of local sports teams. His first project as a volunteer for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a global nonprofit that creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children around the world. Bob led the effort to build two Ronald McDonald Houses in Wichita. His fundraising efforts gained momentum when Bob led a team of his fellow owner/operators and McDonald’s staff people in hosting the 4th annual McDonald’s All-American Basketball Tournament at Wichita State University in 1981 – the year that featured High School Seniors Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing. That game raised more for RMHC Wichita than the three previous games combined.
Opening both Ronald McDonald Houses helped drive Bob’s life-long commitment to philanthropy. Today Lane Enterprises continue their active involvement with RMHC Wichita. He has contributed generously to his community in El Dorado, KS, serving as co-chairman of fundraising campaigns for the El Dorado YMCA and BG Products Veterans’ Sports Complex. He was also a major contributor to the SBAMH Cancer Center - all projects that have truly changed the face of the town.
In 2016, RMHC Global honored Bob with the Gerry Newman McTLC Award of Excellence for his ongoing philanthropic support of youth programs across the state of Kansas. More than 1,200 RMHC leaders and guests came together to recognize Lane at the annual Awards of Excellence in Rosemont, IL., where Lane was awarded a $100,000 grant.With his generous nature, Bob recently announced that he and his wife, Jen, will personally match the $100,000 grant, providing $200,000 to kick-start a capital campaign for RMHC Wichita to build a new 20-bedroom Ronald McDonald House.
As one of the founders of RMHC and its first president, Gerry Newman was a champion for the Charity, touching the lives of millions of children. Since 1988, The Gerry Newman McTLC Award of Excellence has honored the Charity’s founding mission partner and McDonald’s owner/operators who have stood out among all others for their efforts on behalf of children, and best exemplify Newman’s dedication to RMHC.
Each year the event attracts hundreds of business, community and health care leaders who are dedicated to helping the Charity support seven million children and families annually.
Past recipients honored at the RMHC Awards of Excellence have included puppeteer and screenwriter Jim Henson (1990); Former First Lady Betty Ford (1998); Actress Jamie Lee Curtis (2012); founder of Southwest Airlines, Herbert D. Kelleher (2010); and the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps with actor Paul Newman accepting on their behalf (2005); actor, director and humanitarian, Danny Glover (2004).
Meet Bob Lane
Throughout Bob’s life if someone said to him, “It can’t be done,” he would say, “I’ll show you.” Born in Chicago Heights, IL, he managed construction crews as a young man but wanted to own a McDonald’s restaurant.
In 1975, Bob’s dream came true when he earned his first franchise in Arkansas City, Kansas, becoming the youngest franchisee in the McDonald’s System at the age of 27. From there, Bob grew Lane Enterprises one store at a time, and with the help of his family, the organization is now comprised of over 30 restaurants. Under the auspicious of the legacy Bob established, the Lane family has, and continues to, greatly contribute to the communities and families they serve, the hundreds of people they employee and the numerous non-profit businesses they support throughout Kansas.
Meet Jen Lane
When Jen isn’t checking in at her McDonald’s in Augusta, she can often be found with a camera in her hand or spending time with family and friends. Jen met the man that would change her life forever, Bob Lane, and the couple were married in 2008. She became an owner/operator in early 2012 and together the couple has given a tremendous amount back to their communities.
According to Jen, Bob’s drive and never-ending work ethic has allowed her to become a better mother, wife, business women, community leader, philanthropist and even a better photographer by inspiring her to do things that are new and challenging.
Meet Joseph Lane
When Joe was a mere 7 years old, he knew running a McDonald’s was hard work. He watched his father, Tim Lane, do it year after year, and experienced it behind the scenes when he was in high school. It was only after graduating from Kansas State University in 2004, marrying his college sweetheart Hanna, and trying his hand at EMT school for a couple of years, that he came home to help with the family business.
Working his way up the ranks from swing manager to supervisor, Joe acquired his own store in 2012 and today is the owner/operator of 9 stores in Wichita as well as 2 in Pratt and Goddard.
Meet Michael Lane
It may have only been 13 years ago that Michael Lane took ownership of his first McDonald’s, but he’s spent a lifetime under the golden arches. In 1975, Michael’s father, Bob Lane started the Lane enterprise by purchasing his first McDonald’s franchise in Arkansas City, Kansas.
Working for his father in El Dorado throughout high school, Michael always knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. After graduating from Grinnell College in 2001, Michael spent time in Los Angeles where he met his wife, Lindsey.
The couple later moved to Wichita, where Michael worked in multiple locations from 2005 to 2008. In 2009, Michael took ownership of his first McDonald’s in Pratt, Kansas. Today, Michael is the owner/operator of over 10 McDonald’s spanning six cities, including Augusta, Arkansas City, Belle Plaine, Derby, Winfield and Wichita.