It's the most enjoyable experience one could have going through a drive thru when you visit an Arden Hills, Minnesota McDonald's.
Normally, you wouldn't be greeted with a song, but that's all part of the fun for McDonald's employee Daniel Marshall.
Marshall is 22-years-old, who was diagnosed with autism in elementary school. "He really puts a smile on my face," customer Emily Rabe told KARE. "When I'm having a mental breakdown as a student, he really brightens my day."
Brightening your day is Marshall's goal, but it wasn't always easy to stay positive, as he was bullied relentlessly as a kid, especially around the time of his diagnosis. "I was different from a lot of people," he says. "I was called names, like, I was dumb, I was stupid, I was retarded."
The bullying continued through high school, and even into his job at another local restaurant. Everything changed though when he met his manager at McDonald's Ashley Sicora.
"I understand how he ticks," she says. "My youngest son is actually autistic as well."
She saw how her son Liam liked to hyper-focus on certain interests or activities, and knew Marshall had a gift. "Customer service is that for Daniel," Sicora says. "Everything he has he puts into that."
Through the efforts of Sicora, Marshall has been able to thrive in his role, and the gratitude is felt from every customer, who have sent hundreds of messages complimenting him on his positive attitude and wonderful songs. "Daniel is outstanding," reads one. Another says, "You have found a gem."
Despite the years of bullying, Marshall finally feels home. "It's home. It's a brand-new opportunity for me to be somebody in the world," he says.
