Sharing the Joy: Welcoming McDonald’s Local Owner-Operators to the Battlefords
We are so grateful to welcome and celebrate the new local McDonald’s owner-operators in the Battlefords and surrounding area: Hardeep Samra and Sandeep Samra of Rise Above Enterprises Ltd., operating as McDonald’s.
From the moment they arrived, it became clear they aren’t just here to run strong restaurants, they are here to invest in people, build community, and give back in meaningful ways. And this holiday season, they did exactly that.
At the Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre(BDFRC), also known as the Empty Stocking Fund (ESF), we rely entirely on the compassion of our community. We have no core funding, and the need continues to grow year after year. Because of partners like McDonald’s, we are able to keep our doors open and ensure children and families have the support they need all year, because hunger and hardship are not seasonal.
Their story is rooted in family, values, and community. Hardeep and Sandeep bring over 18 years of experience in business ownership and leadership, rooted in strong family values and a deep commitment to the communities they serve.
Their entrepreneurial journey began in Grande Prairie, Alberta, where they became Circle K owners in 2005 and gained early experience operating customer-focused, community-based businesses. In 2021, they expanded their portfolio by acquiring Bar Burrito, strengthening their passion for foodservice and people-centered operations, before continuing their journey in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.
Today, Hardeep and Sandeep proudly own and operate four McDonald's restaurants located on Railway Avenue, Territorial Drive, Walmart North Battleford, and Meadow Lake, employing over 180 local team members across the region.
At the heart of their business is family. Hardeep and Sandeep are proud parents to two lovely daughters, and their dedication to building a positive future for their family naturally extends to the communities they are part of. As local owner-operators, they are committed to creating welcoming, supportive, growth-focused workplaces and actively partnering with community organizations. Their involvement goes beyond business, it reflects a genuine desire to contribute, connect, and help strengthen the Battlefords and surrounding areas.
This holiday season, Rise Above Enterprises and McDonald’s supported families in a way that directly changed what we were able to do, and we cannot thank them enough. They donated McDonald’s gift cards for teenagers ages 13–17. Teen requests are often the hardest to meet, and their support ensured we were able to provide enough gifts for the 100+ teenagers registered through our holiday program. That means more youth felt seen, supported, and remembered during a season that can be especially difficult.
Hardeep and Sandeep also volunteered their time for an afternoon of matching toys to children registered for the ESF Christmas Hamper. This hands-on help matters so much, especially during the busiest weeks of the year, and it helped ensure every child received something special and thoughtfully chosen.
The ESF Christmas Hamper Program provides enough food for the school holiday break and new gifts for every child. Because of community partners like McDonald’s, the 2025 program was a success.
Between December 22 and December 23, 2025, ESF served 341households and supported 989 individuals through the holiday program. Over half of those served were children, and supports like this helped ensure families had food, new toys, and comfort during a season that can be especially challenging, and the need does not stop after the holidays.
In 2025, the BDFRC Food Bank Hamper Program helped an average of 655 families every month. Across all our food programs, we serve an average of 2,160 people per month and half of those supported are children. That means more than 1,000 children rely on our programs monthly for food, stability, and support.
Our warehouse program also helps eight local schools and twenty community charities, strengthening the network of organizations supporting children and families across our region every day.
Thank you, McDonald’s, for helping us share the joy.
Hardeep and Sandeep, your generosity and willingness to jump in and help has already made a meaningful difference here. You have shown what it looks like to be true community partners, not just supporting from a distance, but showing up with care, energy, and heart.
Thank you for your donation, your time, and your commitment to the Battlefords and surrounding communities. We truly couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you for helping us Share the Joy.
