Millionaire lottery winner goes back to job at McDonald's
Posted: 3/25/2008 10:00:01 AM
It's not the natural habitat of the millionaire.
But if you visit a particular McDonald's store in Cardiff, you've every chance of being served by one.
Luke Pittard, 25, won £1.3 million (US $2.6 million) in the National Lottery 18 months ago.
He celebrated in the usual way, buying a new home and splashing out on a lavish wedding and holiday in the Canary Islands.
Then he realized that he really missed his job.
So he asked to go back and couldn't be happier, getting up at the crack of dawn to flip burgers for £5.85 an hour.
"They all think I'm a bit mad but I tell them there's more to life than money," he said.
"I loved working at McDonald's before I became a millionaire and I'm really enjoying being back there again."
Few customers at the restaurant in Pontprennau, Cardiff, realize that a millionaire is frying their fries or taking their money behind the counter.
Mr Pittard and his girlfriend Emma Cox, 29, were working there together when he hit the jackpot.
They hung up their uniforms and settled down to domestic-bliss in a £230,000 home with their three-year-old daughter Chloe.
But 18 months later, the novelty of early retirement wore off.
"Lots of my old McDonald's workmates came to our wedding and I had kept in touch with them all the time, so I just thought: 'Why not go back?'" said Mr Pittard.
"To be honest, there's only so much relaxing you can do.
"I'm only young and a bit of hard work never did anyone any harm." 
The couple earn more each week in interest on their win than Mr Pittard brings home from McDonald's.
But his wife supports his decision to return to work as a staff trainer.
"I can totally understand it," she said.
"We both really enjoyed working at McDonald's and still have good friends there.
"So it was really familiar for him and something for him to look forward to."
McDonald's manager Katherine Jones said: "Luke was always a great member of our team and when he won the lottery we were all so pleased for him.
"I'm glad he has had the time to enjoy his winnings but love having him here — it's as if he never went away."
Source: Daily Mail
