Reopening of historic Burger King location sparks fond memories for former Windsor employee
When Mary Ann Andrejicka worked at Burger King in the 1960s, a Whopper cost 69 cents.
“$1.10 an hour was our starting pay. The females had to wear the uniform dresses,” Andrejicka recalled.
Windsor is home to Canada’s first Burger King. The historic location at 2850 Tecumseh Road East first opened its doors in September 1969.
“They didn't really promote that this is the first Burger King in Canada. So we were really naive to that fact,” said Andrejicka.
Mary Ann Andrejicka recalls her experience working at the first Burger King in Canada in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. (Sijia Liu/CTV News Windsor)She recalls managers of the original location running a tight ship.
“It had be spotless,” she said. “They would get down on their hands and knees with a knife and scrape the tile floor.”
Back in the day, employees worked without the help of high tech machinery.
“You would punch in the order and then most of the time you are calculating the whole bill by adding it up yourself. The most dangerous piece of equipment in that building was the tomato slicer,” said Andrejicka.
Located next to the Windsor Assembly Plant, Andrejicka explains lunch time was hectic.
“Chrysler guys would come running across the street,” she recalled. “The line would be unbelievable. It would be around the block.”
Mary Ann Andrejicka recalls her experience working at the first Burger King in Canada in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. (Sijia Liu/CTV News Windsor)On Friday, Dec. 2, the first Burger King restaurant in Canada reopened its doors with a new look.
Renovations include an outdoor digital menu board in the drive-thru, and a modern new exterior and interior.
This original Burger King is one of 30 locations being redesigned by Redberry across the country in 2022 and 2023.
With the historic location turning a new chapter, Andrejicka hopes the next generation of Burger King employees will make the most out of their experience.
“Appreciate the opportunity to work there. Because it can teach you a lot,” she said. “It can teach you working with other people. It can teach you respect.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.