Zan White from Elkins, West Virginia, has been a loyal McDonald’s customer for the last 36 years. He reportedly ate fast food nearly every day since his mid-60s, and now that he’s turned 100, the Golden Arches threw him a birthday bash with balloons and a celebratory message.
Zan, a veteran, drove down to his local McDonald’s branch with friends for a fun time to mark the milestone. He assured the outlet and well-wishers that he would enjoy Maccies meals for the rest of his life. “I’ve been coming here for 36 years. I can’t stop now,” he said with a laugh.
WWII veteran who eats McDonald’s every day is celebrated by the fast food chain as he turns 100
Zan White’s friends from the ROMEO Club he started surprised him for his 100th birthday. They have been having breakfast together at this McDonald’s nearly every day for 36 years.
— WVVA News (@WVVA) February 5, 2024
The restaurant’s area supervisor, Mark Godwin, said seeing Zan every day was “one of the highlights of my day.”
“I’ve seen Zan every morning pretty much for the 24 years I’ve been working; it’s a joy to see him every morning,” he said, adding that Zan has lived so long thanks to daily McDonald’s breakfast and coffee.
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Zan received a certificate from his state’s governor with a heartfelt note that stated, “As Governor of West Virginia, I extend special greetings to you on the happy occasion of your one-hundredth birthday. I hope you have a wonderful day. As you gather for this celebration, I know you must take great pride in the wealth of family and friends who celebrate with you.”
Governor Jim Justice also noted that “each birthday brings an abundance of treasured memories,” which includes acts of kindness and touching people’s lives in a positive way. “There is no better way to measure one’s life than by the number of those you have nurtured and loved: and in this regard, you are truly rich,” he added.
In addition, the local sheriff’s office sent a ticket for 100 years of reckless driving and a plaque to Zan, who renewed his driver’s license so he could keep taking himself to his favorite restaurant. The centenarian also received an honor from the city mayor, who declared Zan’s birthday “Zan White Day.”
“I asked him what the secret was, and he just grinned at me, so I hope that means I have to smile a lot, so congratulations to Mr. White he’s a tremendous citizen that we have, and we’re honored to have him,” Mayor Jerry Marco said.