by DAVID HAMILTON

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Four locally owned McDonald’s restaurants in the Miss-Lou area are being sold to a small company out of Vicksburg.

Effective July 31, owner Gary Small will sell the four franchises — two in Natchez, one in Vidalia and one in Port Gibson — that he has owned since November 2001.

“We have loved serving the community over the years, and we probably have loved most passionately working with kids, schools, and the (Natchez) Police Department and (Adams County) Sheriff’s Office … using McDonald’s as our vehicle,” Small said.

Small — who has worked with McDonald’s since he was 17 — said the reason for selling the restaurants is simply “good, old fashioned retirement … with no ulterior motives and no plans to get into other businesses.”

The restaurants will be sold to MNM Enterprises, owned and operated by Melanie and Mike Roach.

Small said the timing of the sale was “perfect” not only for himself, but also for the Roaches, who Small has been close friends with since the early 1990s.

“One of the biggest excitements is being able to sell them the restaurants because they will be able to take care of the restaurants and the community,” Small said.

Local McDonald’s have not simply served the community, but also have been a charitable force in the area. Small said the Roaches would continue the McCafe for a Cause program, which donates a portion of all coffee sales to local nonprofits such as Stewpot, the Humane Society, Homes for Heroes and the Mississippi Cultural Crossroad.