Finger Lakes Today

Senator Pam Helming has announced that Mari Potter, a small business owner, has been named the 2024 Woman of Distinction for the 54th Senate District. This honor is part of the New York State Senate Women of Distinction program.

Mari Potter, who resides in Clifton Springs, owns 13 McDonald’s restaurants in the Finger Lakes region with her husband and business partner, Tim. The couple are franchisees of McDonald's and are partners of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), an organization that supports families with sick children by providing essential resources and accommodation during treatment. Potter serves on the RMHC of Rochester Board of Directors and chairs the Development Committee. She finds her connection to RMHC one of the most rewarding aspects of being a McDonald’s owner-operator. Last year alone, Potter's restaurants raised over $37,000 for RMHC of Rochester through their Round-Up for RHMC program.

Potter plays an active role in her local community not only by raising funds for various nonprofit organizations but also by offering employment and educational opportunities through Archways to Opportunity. This initiative provides career advising and supports McDonald’s employees in obtaining a high school diploma, taking English as a Second Language classes, and earning up to $3,000 a year in college tuition assistance. In 2023 alone, Potter’s organization provided more than $94,000 in tuition assistance to 50 local restaurant employees.

In 2022, Mari and Tim were awarded the prestigious Ronald Award which recognizes the top one percent of McDonald’s owner-operators across the country. Mari is also a proud mother to five children and two stepchildren and has seven grandchildren.

Senator Helming praised Potter saying: “Mari Potter’s commitment to the growth and vitality of our region is evident in how she runs her business, how she supports her employees, and how she gives back to the community. She is a leading female entrepreneur - one of only 10 women operators in McDonald’s Empire region, from Buffalo to Albany. Beyond that, she is a champion for Ronald McDonald House Charities, raising money and awareness of the immeasurable support RMHC offers children and families during their most difficult times. Mari has a relentlessly positive attitude and an enduring devotion to the success of her employees and the communities they serve. This is especially true of the many young people who work their first job at McDonald’s. It is my honor to recognize Mari as the 2024 Woman of Distinction for the 54th Senate District.”

Potter continues the legacy of her in-laws, Elmer and Sharon Potter, who opened their first McDonald’s restaurant in the Rochester area in 1986. Her husband Tim joined the family business after college and purchased two of his parents’ restaurants. The couple subsequently bought the family's remaining eight restaurants and expanded their business with three more.

Upon receiving this recognition, Potter said: “I am both humbled and honored to receive this recognition by State Senator Pam Helming. It is my hope that through this recognition and my involvement with Ronald McDonald House Charities, it will spark an interest in others to support this incredible charity. Be a hero to a family with a critically ill child, where seconds matter, by simply 'rounding up' when you place your next order at McDonald’s.”

Potter was officially recognized on May 14 at the Women of Distinction ceremony in Albany.