Neto's Tucson: McDonald's owner Canchola following father's philosophy

"It's strange not to have him with us," said the Tucson businessman. "This is the first time on my own."

Canchola was referring to his father, José Canchola, the late Tucson businessman and philanthropist. The elder Canchola, who passed away in January 2008, opened a small chain of McDonald's restaurants in Nogales and Tucson, and planted his name as a strong supporter of various charities in Southern Arizona.

Now it is Roger Canchola, 47, the fifth of six siblings, who is taking up his father's legacy and work ethic and placing his own stamp. And he's doing it at the southeast corner of West Ajo Way and South Mission Road.

There, in a downtrodden shopping center at a depressed intersection, Roger Canchola sees opportunity and hope. He will open the family's sixth McDonald's store. Glancing around the strip mall with many vacancies but several businesses - takeout pizza, title loans, vitamins, tortillas and discount goods - the casual observer would ask, why here?

"Because this is the corner we thought we'd have the biggest impact," said Canchola.

We met at the site, which housed a Blockbuster video store, several days before he led let a groundbreaking ceremony late last month which included his mother, Carmen Canchola, his wife, Raquel Canchola, their three sons and his eldest brother, Robert Canchola.

Through his company, Arcos de Oro (Spanish for Golden Arches), Canchola plans to sink $1 million into his venture and is confident his investment will spur economic development. That begins with the construction jobs and, 90 days later, the 50 or so employees who will serve up burgers, fries, salads and café.

Once the customers come and then return, Canchola is certain more businesses will arrive in the shopping center and the intersection, which is ringed by a bank, Food City and the Mission Branch of the Pima Public Library.

"This restaurant on this corner will hopefully create more change for this area - and after that point, what kind of role can we play?" he asked.

The family's role is one the elder Canchola developed in his years as a businessman beginning in 1976 in Nogales, when the Chicago transplant opened his first restaurant. Later José Canchola opened a second on the border and later three in Tucson.

But it wasn't Quarter Pounders and Big Macs that gave Canchola his fame. It was his generosity, his commitment to Nogales and Tucson, and his dedication to his family. Canchola was on the boards of directors for several public and non-profit organizations.

Among his endeavors, he established college scholarships, raised money for the public library, and co-founded the Tucson Ronald McDonald House in 1981. The charity serves families with children undergoing medical treatment and care for serious illnesses at Diamond Children's Medical Center at the University of Arizona Medical Center.

Roger Canchola said giving back to the community will expand with the new McDonald's on the city's southwest side. The new restaurant will support nearby schools, including its neighbor, Mary Belle McCorkle Academy of Excellence K-8, and continue contributing to Tucson Medical Center and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Canchola shares his father's philosophy - but it's not about following his footprints, he said.

"Its about doing the right thing."

Ernesto "Neto" Portillo Jr. is editor of La Estrella de Tucsón. He can be reached at (520) 573-4187 or at netopjr@azstarnet.com