Last month, Wendy’s Lyons Avenue customers might have stumbled on a certain celebration, of sorts. Jo Funderburgh of Palm Desert, known by her friends and family as “Mama Jo” turned 85-years old, and even Santa Clarita was celebrating.
Mama Jo, who says she eats at Wendy’s four to five times each week has certainly come to know her local restaurant.
So, in anticipation of her big day, Mama Jo’s family arranged a Wendy’s-themed road trip to visit friends and family while stopping in at a total of sixteen Wendy’s locations along the way. For two weeks, Mama Jo enjoyed her travels through California and Oregon celebrating her birthday with Wendy’s employees, customers and fans.
Santa Clarita welcomed Mama Jo at Lyons Avenue on May 7. She was greeted with balloons, a birthday cake, a certificate of appreciation and a variety of Wendy’s memorabilia.
“I have been amazed at how nice everyone is,” said Mama Jo. “Every single person I have met at Wendy’s is genuinely kind.”
Special birthday celebrations might happen at Wendy’s locations in Santa Clarita more often than one might think. Maxine Coleman, long-time hostess at Bouquet Canyon was surprised just two years ago when her Wendy’s family celebrated her 90th birthday in a similar way. Coleman has worked at Wendy’s for 26 years after she retired from a successful career and “needed something to keep her busy.” “Many of my friends have passed away over the last few years. Now some of my best friends are my customers,” said Coleman.
Wendy’s celebrates its customers at four locations in Santa Clarita and around town and at various community events like Relay for Life, Light the Night, Youth Sports programs and local school events. Wendy’s is proud to serve fresh, never-frozen, 100 percent North American Beef with toppings and salads prepared fresh every day.
For more information, please visit www.wendys.com, email info@wendysofsantaclarita.com or call 818-516-9810.