Local McDonald's franchisee Tomtreyco adds seven locations, eyes chain's top spot

LAKE TWP.  The largest McDonald's franchise owner in Ohio has gotten bigger.

Stark County-based Tomtreyco, which is owned by Tom Locke and his sons, added seven more McDonald's restaurants. That gives the company 45 locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Locke had hoped the acquisition — also his restaurants in Stark County — would push him into the Top 10 among McDonald's franchise owners in the United States. He's close at No. 12.

"It's not a static number," Locke said, noting that other franchise owners are buying and selling locations.

Locke bought his first McDonald's restaurant, located in Canal Fulton, from the late Gaetano Cecchini in 2000. Locke grew to become Ohio's largest franchise owner, and now is aiming higher.

The seven newest locations were purchased from Paul and Michelle Siegfried, who are based in Lorain County. Locke said he will be hiring five to 10 new employees at each location, bringing Tomtreyco's total employment to about 2,500.

Later this month, Tom's son, Trey, will take ownership of the location at 868 W. Maple St., in Hartville. Trey Locke has completed a next generation training program through McDonald's and plans to keep the family business growing.

One day Tom Locke would like to see Tomtreyco ranked as the country's largest McDonald's franchisee. Locke said he is working on another potential acquisition that could be completed in 2021. "We've got a big goal," he said.

The company has 16 restaurants in Stark County, as well as locations in Summit and Wayne counties, and in the Youngstown area.

Reach Edd at 330-580-8484 or edd.pritchard@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @epritchardREP