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A Mother's Story
THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ISABELLE VILLASEÑOR AND HER TWO DAUGHTERS INCLUDES OWNING AND OPERATING SEVEN MCDONALD'S
“T
hey are my best friends, and they are
“Every morning we have a group chat,”
a challenge. In 18 months, however, she
just so much fun,” Isabelle Villaseñor
Lisa says. “We communicate by phone, text
increased sales 121%, eventually moving on
says about her two daughters Jenny Briones
and email around 50 times a day.” Jenny
to build stores in Cypress and Norwalk, two
and Lisa De Bono, who together own and
chimes in, “It’s a good thing our husbands
stores at John Wayne Airport and purchase
operate seven McDonald’s.
grew up with us, so they understand.”
two stores in Lake Forest. She also bought
It turns out that Isabelle was introduced to
and sold two stores in Cerritos along the way.
McDonalds in 1967, when at age 21 she mar-
“They are my best friends, and they are just so much fun,” Isabelle Villaseñor says about her two daughters Jenny Briones and Lisa De Bono.
ried Pat Smith, who with his parents even-
DAUGHTERS JOIN BUSINESS
tually owned and operated stores in Artesia
Isabelle
and San Clemente. After Dolorys and Jack
Newport Beach Lifestyle | May 2017
how
her
daughters
became part of the family business:
Smith passed away by 1976, Pat and Isabelle
“The girls helped me with local marketing
opened a store in San Juan Capistrano, later
events early on–Lisa even dressed as an
selling it before an amicable divorce in 1981.
Easter Bunny one year handing out treats to
Pat sold the San Clemente store and got
the little ones. From the time they were 16,
out of the business and Isabelle bought the
they worked in the stores during Christmas
original store in Artesia in 1981. She was a
and summer vacations as part of the crew,
woman in the business when there were
with the same training and wages as every-
very few women owners, and she had not
one else. It was very important to me for
been involved in running the business, as
them to have a valuable work ethic.”
she was busy raising their daughters. It was 28
relates
Isabelle says that when the girls started