ADAMS TWP, PA — On a recent afternoon inside the McDonald’s along Route 228, three generations stood side by side — smiling, laughing, and holding the future in their arms.
There was Toni Hower, the owner-operator behind the restaurant.
Her mother, Kathy Santonastasso, who helped build the family’s legacy.
Her father, John Santonastasso, a longtime McDonald’s veteran.
And in Toni’s arms, her 7-month-old daughter, Blake.
It was more than a family photo.
It was a full-circle moment decades in the making.
A Legacy That Started Behind the Counter
Kathy Santonastasso still remembers the day she met John.
“I was a crew trainer, and part of my job was to give new employees their orientation,” she said. “John came in for a job — and I gave him his orientation.”
Nearly 39 years later, they’re still side by side — in life and in business.
What started as a first job turned into a career, then into ownership, and eventually into a family enterprise that would shape the next generation.
“It’s been amazing to see how far you can go when you start your career almost 40-plus years ago,” Kathy said. “And to be able to do it with your family.”
From Crew Member to Owner — and Now a Mother
For Toni Hower, McDonald’s was never just a workplace — it was part of growing up.
She started as a crew member, worked her way into leadership, and eventually entered McDonald’s “next generation” program — a rigorous process designed to prepare future owner-operators.
Before becoming an operator, she oversaw multiple locations as a supervisor, learning how to manage people, grow sales, and lead teams.
Now, as an owner-operator, her role has shifted.
“You learn to work more on top of the business,” Hower said. “You have to step back and look at how you can get creative — not just for the business, but for the community around you.”
That perspective has only deepened since becoming a mother.
“You want to work harder for your family and create something you can leave behind,” she said. “A legacy.”
More Than a Restaurant — A Community Partner
Since opening in Adams Township, Hower has wasted little time becoming part of the Mars community — not just as a business owner, but as a supporter.
“For Hower, the goal isn’t just to run a successful restaurant — it’s to invest in the community that supports it.”
Recently, her restaurant sponsored the Mars Area Boys Basketball team, placing the McDonald’s logo on team shirts.
But it’s her involvement with the Mars Area High School girls’ softball team that stands out.
Hower is providing meals for players prior to home games — something she says comes from personal experience.
“As a former player, I remember how tough it was,” she said. “Some of these kids eat their last meal at 10 a.m. and then have to go perform later in the day.”
The meals, she said, aren’t about promotion — they’re about support.
“It’s just something they don’t have to think about,” Hower said. “They can focus on the game.”
A Family Philosophy: Take Care of People
For Kathy Santonastasso, one of the most rewarding parts of the business has always been helping others grow.
“Working with people and helping them succeed — that’s what it’s all about,” she said. “We’re a people business.”
That philosophy extends beyond employees to the broader community.
“We’re here for the community,” she said. “They welcomed us with open arms, and we just want to do everything we can to give back.”
The Meaning of Three Generations
For Kathy, seeing her daughter succeed — and now holding her granddaughter — has added a new layer to the journey.
“It’s even more special now,” she said. “Everyone tells you being a grandparent is different, and it absolutely is.”
And when asked what she hopes for Blake’s future, she didn’t hesitate.
“She’s got a lot to look forward to,” Kathy said with a smile. “Maybe someday she’ll be the third generation in the business.”
Growing With Mars
As the Route 228 corridor continues to grow, Hower sees her role evolving alongside it.
“I’m just very appreciative of how we’ve been welcomed here,” she said. “It’s exciting to be part of a community that’s developing — and to grow with it.”
For the Santonastasso family, success has never just been about building restaurants — it’s been about building relationships.
And in Mars, that commitment is already taking shape — not just behind the counter, but out in the community, where the next generation is already part of the story.
Disclosure: McDonald’s of Mars is a sponsor of The 228 Times.