As president of Coaxum Enterprises, Inc., Henry L. Coaxum, Jr. is the owner/operator of three McDonald’s restaurants in the New Orleans area. His first job with the McDonald’s Corporation was as a manager trainee at the McDonald’s restaurant located on the I-10 Service Road and Read Boulevard in Eastern New Orleans in 1984. His career came full circle in 2002 when he became the owner/operator of that very same restaurant. This restaurant also has the distinction of being the first McDonald’s to receive the Nation Restaurant News’ Successful Settings Award.
Coaxum, a New Orleans business executive and civic leader, was one of the 2014 recipients of the McDonald’s 365Black Awards. The national awards salute outstanding individuals who are committed to making positive contributions that strengthen the African-American community.
On September 25, 2014, Coaxum celebrated his 30th anniversary with the McDonald’s Corporation, including his years as a corporate employee and as a franchisee. Coaxum has served as President of the Great Southern Region’s Black McDonald’s Operators Association. He was appointed by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as Chairman of the NOLA Business Alliance Board, launching the city’s first-ever public private partnership for economic development. He also was appointed to the Board of Commissioners of the city’s Hospital Service District Board that oversaw the redevelopment of the New Orleans East Hospital.
Coaxum received “The Ronald Award” from the McDonald’s Corporation. The prestigious award honors McDonald’s owner/operators for outstanding service — to both the McDonald’s brand through exemplary operations, marketing and employee relations practices, as well as to their local communities. He helps to keep the “Golden Arches” shining through his fundraising efforts with local non-profits and charitable organizations.
Coaxum was recognized by the Neighborhood Development Foundation as being the recipient of The Leadership Award which honors an individual or organization which has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the development and growth of New Orleans neighborhoods.
In recognition of their exemplary leadership in community volunteerism and philanthropy, Coaxum and his wife, Karen, were named the recipients of the United Way of the Greater New Orleans Area’s Alexis de Tocqueville Award — the highest honor bestowed by United Way. Coaxum was selected as a Laureate of the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, joining the Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, Inc. which inspires and prepares young people to successfully participate in their economy through workforce development, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Coaxum’s work with the area’s youth also is being furthered as a McDonald’s franchisee. He offers two education incentive programs for his student employees. For high school students, employees are rewarded with pay raises for good grades. And for college students, his “scholarships” help pay for books and tuition if the student employees’ grades are maintained while being employed. “Our youth need to learn that you can get rewarded if you work hard at both school and a job. Who knows, that job could end up being your career,” he says.