Retiree, 72, putting smiles on faces as one of McDonald's oldest employees

In what was meant to be his golden years, the 72-year-old retiree chose the golden arches instead.

“I have to keep busy, I can’t just sit and do nothing … if I can work another eight years now until I’m 80, that’s fine with me,” he told 9News.

After retiring from the disability sector, Holmes only lasted a day before looking for work again.

He’s one of McDonald’s oldest employees and has become a friendly face and local legend at the Wallsend restaurant.

“I used to joke, if I put all their ages together I’ve got all of them by two years,” he said.

Hired as a customer experience leader, he greets customers, helps them use the self-serve kiosk and even brings their food out to them.

“When people first started to walk in, they’d jump sideways ’cause you said, ‘Hello,'” he said.

The job has inspired a new dining system that other McDonald’s stores are starting to adopt.

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Wallsend McDondald’s operations consultant Cruise Monaghan says it’s worth it.

“Usually it’d just be sit down, don’t get much, probably no communication from staff,” Monaghan said.

“Now Daryl comes in, makes sure everything is fine, checks on you, asks how your day has been – they love him.

“We get a lot of reviews based on Daryl’s performance.”

Holmes aspires to bring a smile to customers’ faces and every year dresses up for the Monopoly promotion.

“I start to fashion my whiskers. I don’t have to whiten them because I’m silver,” he said.

“People enjoy it and are amazed at someone who’s best past their prime is working.”