Millionaires to serve you burgers
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 posted 11:59 AM EDT
Cardiff: A young couple working together in McDonald’s won a £1.3m Lotto jackpot on Monday — but pledged: “We’ll carry on serving burgers.”
Emma Cox, 28, and Luke Pittard, 23, were on the breadline because they couldn’t afford their own home on their McWages.
The lucky burger millionaires were celebrating striking it rich — but told their bosses they will keep their jobs. Lucky Luke said, “We both really enjoy working for McDonald’s. Like the slogan says. “We’re loving it.”
“We met in the same burger bar four years ago and we love being together — even though Emma is my boss now. “The money is fantastic but it won’t mean we will give up serving burgers and Happy Meals.”
Luke even popped in to a nearby McDonald’s for a Big Mac and chips before collecting the couple’s cheque for £1,369,847 (Rs 117,146,081).
Emma is a £16,000-a-year area manager for the American fast food giant — but she started off serving burgers over the counter at the age of 16.
She fell for Luke when he joined the company four years ago at their branch in Pontprennau, Cardiff.
He’s now a £12,000-a-year staff trainer with the company — but the pair couldn’t afford a house to buy on their wages despite having a two-year-old daughter Chloe.
Emma and Chloe had been living with her parents —while Luke lives with his mum and dad five miles away.
With their combined McDonald’s wages, they still couldn’t afford a suitable house in Cardiff where the average price is £180,000.
But the couple were already scouring estate agents for their first home of their own. Luke said, “I admit the McDonald’s wages aren’t great but we just enjoy it. Now we can afford a home of our home.
“But we won’t go mad — it will be something modest, like a three-bed semi with a nursery.”
The couple won with a lucky dip ticket in last Wednesday’s draw. The winning numbers were 18, 20, 26, 27, 28 and 39.
Emma said, “It’s funny because on the day I bought the ticket I went back to work at McDonald’s and there was a money spider on my hand.
“I said to one of the girls I was going to win the lottery that night — obviously never believing it would happen.
I’ve played the lottery since it started and I always dreamed this would happen. I think I’m a bit stunned but absolutely over the moon.
“We’re on cloud nine and can’t wait to start looking for a new house. “Chloe’s only two so she’s a bit young to understand what’s going on. “But I’m sure she will be suitably spoiled.”
Emma lives in Splott, Cardiff, with her parents while Luke lives in nearby St Mellons.
She checked her ticket on Thursday morning — and phone Luke at work to say she had the winning line.
Emma said, “He refused to believe me and carried on working his shift.
“It’s not many people who are served by millionaires when they pull up at McDonald’s.
“We are enjoying all the attention but are looking forward to getting back to work. We will take a holiday later in the year to go on a cruise - but then back to McDonald’s.”
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