ADAMS TWP, PA — For Toni Hower, McDonald’s has always been more than a restaurant. It’s been a way of life. She grew up in a family where the business wasn’t just a job but a dinner table conversation, a road trip topic, and a guiding path for her career. Now, after several years of operating her McDonald’s in Moon Township, Hower is taking a giant leap—partnering with her father, longtime McDonald’s veteran and owner-operator John Santonastasso, to open a brand-new restaurant along Route 228 in Adams Township.
With the playful coincidence not lost on either of them, the family likes to say they are bringing the golden arches “from Moon to Mars.”
A Legacy of McDonald’s and Family
Hower’s connection to McDonald’s stretches back to childhood. Her parents, John and Kathleen Santonastasso, met as crew members, and she remembers listening to corporate conference calls on the way to softball tournaments. After graduating from college in 2018, she joined the family business full-time, helping manage an organization that has since grown to include 28 restaurants across Western Pennsylvania.
“My parents have always been my biggest role models,” Hower said. “They taught me how important it is to take care of your people. Our employees are like an extended family, and when we take care of them, our business flourishes.”
Her father, John, embodies that philosophy. With more than 46 years in the McDonald’s system, he started as a crew member in New Jersey, worked his way up through corporate management, and eventually became an owner-operator himself. He and Kathleen built a portfolio of restaurants, while also nurturing the next generation of operators in their own family.
“When I got my first orientation back in 1980, Kathleen was the trainer,” Santonastasso recalled with a smile. “Now, here we are—she owns one restaurant independently, Toni owns her own, and we’re partners in several others. It’s a family business in every sense.”
A New Era: Building Mars McDonald’s from the Ground Up
The Mars location, set to open tentatively on October 1 with a grand opening celebration on November 10, marks the first time Hower has overseen a restaurant built from the ground up.
“This was a brand-new experience for me,” she said. “We were able to choose from the latest designs and features—like four ordering kiosks to cut down on crowding and a comfortable crew lounge in the back. Everything was designed to make life easier for both our employees and our customers.”
The new McDonald’s will open with hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., employing around 60 workers. Hower has already started hiring and is supplementing the new team with experienced staff from other family-owned restaurants to ensure smooth operations from day one.
Investing in People and Community
“We’ve never denied a scholarship,” Hower noted. “It’s an incredible way to help students get ahead while learning life and career skills in the restaurant.”
She also credited the leadership team that has supported her journey. “This growth and success would not be possible without two of our leadership members—our Vice President, Tara Musto, and our Director of Operations, Gabrielle Miskinis. Their dedication, vision, and hard work have been instrumental in bringing this new chapter to life,” Hower said.
In Moon Township, Hower and her husband, Colton, have built strong partnerships with Robert Morris University and the local high school, sponsoring events like March Madness and even providing tablets for classrooms. She plans to replicate that approach in Mars by working directly with Mars Area School District to support students through fundraising, honor roll programs, and workforce training opportunities.
“Already, we’ve set up a digital fundraiser with Mars High School, where a percentage of sales on October 23 will go directly to the school,” Hower said. “We want this McDonald’s to be more than just a restaurant—it’s going to be a community partner.”
Balancing Motherhood and Management
The new Mars location also represents another milestone in Hower’s life: she is balancing the demands of opening a new restaurant with the joys and challenges of being a new mother. Toni and Colton welcomed their first child, a daughter named Blake, just six weeks ago.
“I’ve learned to really lean on my team,” she said. “Sometimes I even brought Blake to the site while construction was going on. It’s stressful, but it’s also rewarding to know she’s part of this milestone, even if she has no idea yet.”
She hopes her daughter will one day see her journey as an example of what’s possible. “I want her to know the sky’s the limit—that she can do anything she sets her mind to,” Hower said.
Facing Competition with Confidence
The new McDonald’s won’t be opening in isolation. A Chick-fil-A is under construction nearby, and other quick-service restaurants are expected as Route 228 continues to grow. But for Hower and Santonastasso, competition is healthy.
“We like to be the best on the block,” Santonastasso said. “That means competitive wages, fast and friendly service, and the best overall customer experience. Competition makes us sharper—it’s an opportunity to get better every day.”
A Grand Opening for the Community
While the soft opening will quietly welcome customers starting October 1, the November 10 grand opening will feature a ribbon cutting, community leaders, and, yes, even McDonald’s mascots like Grimace to mark the occasion.
For Hower, though, the real celebration will come a year and five years down the road, when the community has had time to truly embrace the restaurant.
“In a year, I want people to feel they have a true partnership with us,” she said. “In five years, I want them to know us personally, to feel like this McDonald’s is their local store and that we’re here for them. That’s what being a family-owned business is all about.”