The name Lubeznik is familiar to many in La Porte County and the surrounding area, but do you know the amount of impact that the Lubeznik family has had in the community?
Sam Lubeznik is the owner and operator of multiple McDonald’s restaurants in La Porte County. He is partners with his father, Glenn Lubeznik, and together they own and operate six locations all together.
“It was McDonald’s that brought our family to La Porte County. We are originally from the north side of Chicago, where my grandfather was a police officer in Chicago for about 20 years,” Sam said. “How we were introduced to McDonald’s was through a family member.”
Sam’s grandfather was introduced to Ray Kroc, the founder of McDonald’s. They hit it off right away and that brought the Lubeznik family into what Sam calls the “McFamily”. They came to Michigan City to see an open location and fell in love with the community.
“The store at 3507 Franklin is the 290th McDonald’s, and now there are around 35,000 locations,” Sam said. “And that location opened on June 21, 1961.”
Sam’s grandparents, having accumulated a modest income in the 1940s, became excited when McDonald’s became popular years later. The success of McDonald's helped put the family in a financial position where they could give back more to the community.
“When you start doing things for other people it becomes a fantastic addiction,” Sam said. “My grandparents consistently found things to do for the community, especially the kids. Thanks to them we grow up in an environment where we wanted to give back. They really led by example. My father did the same thing.”
Glenn was always involved in multiple charities. He actually started the Kids and Clays Foundation, which supports a national series of clay shooting events which benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. Sam said that it began as a fundraiser, but after only a few years it became too big, so it was made into an organization.
Sam’s family as well as his staff get involved with the community.
“I love getting my employees involved,” Sam said. “It’s not just the Lubeznik Family here doing things here in Michigan City, we have about 450 people as part of our McFamily. Without the support from them we would not be able to do what we do. There is a misconception that charity is only something rich people can do, but when you find out that the most valuable thing you can give is your time, then there’s nothing that can stop you.”
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