the essential
Much more than just a fast food restaurant, McDonald’s is a human adventure. At the start of the year, Renaud Cambournac, the man “stung with ketchup”, passes the torch to Emmanuelle Boccardo.
In 1986, seven years after the arrival of McDonald’s in France, Renaud Cambournac joined the development and construction department of this innovative and visionary company. He actively participated in the opening of numerous restaurants, including the first Moroccan McDo, in 1992, in Casablanca.
Thus, in 2000, Renaud Cambournac installed the first modules of the McDonald’s restaurant in Castelsarrasin, one of the brand’s first prefabricated constructions. This time, the adventure will not stop when you hand over the keys. In fact, he returned four years later, on the other side, as a franchisee.
At the same time, he also took over the management of the Valence-d’Agen restaurant from its opening in 2014.
Throughout his career, this great enthusiast has met numerous challenges, from the arrival of new competitors to the health crisis. He remained motivated and always gave the best of himself.
Change of hands
However, inevitably, time passes and all good things come to an end. Thus, after having devoted nearly four decades to McDonald’s, Renaud Cambournac is turning a page in his life. From construction to management, he has seen the birth and growth of many restaurants like his own children. Today, at almost 69 years old, he passes the torch to Emmanuelle Boccardo, not without emotion.
Coming from the world of finance and strategy, she is opening a new chapter in her career. At 55, after 21 brilliant years spent in a major out-of-home catering group, Newrest, she joined the large McDonald’s family and acquired, on January 1, 2025, two restaurants: Castelsarrasin and Valence-d’Agen.
Honoring Mr. Cambournac’s legacy while adding “his personal touch to help these two establishments evolve while respecting the values that we both share.”
1,600 customers daily
Thus, although it is technically a sale and a purchase, Renaud Cambournac and Emmanuelle Boccardo have been working together, since their very first meeting, in September 2024, to set up a real handover, ” a smooth and pleasant transition for all.” To maintain the quality and success of the restaurants (4 million euros in turnover in 2024), Emmanuelle Boccardo is surrounded by around fifty close-knit employees.
Among them, Luc Benassac and Julie Moncelle, supervisor and director respectively, who contribute greatly, through their commitment and expertise, to the satisfaction of the 1,600 daily customers.
Faced with an intense pace of work, Emmanuelle Boccardo emphasizes the importance of working in an environment where team spirit reigns and where diversity is valued.
For her, McDonald’s is an inclusive company that offers everyone a chance to succeed and flourish.
For Emmanuelle Boccardo, the year 2025 promises to be full of great discoveries and many challenges to take on to master this new daily life and attract new customers.
