Christian Foods: Building Legacy and Community in O’Fallon
For Chris Giarla, owning and operating McDonald’s franchises in O’Fallon isn’t just business—it’s a family tradition rooted in faith, community and a dedication to people. The story of Christian Foods, which now includes 14 franchise locations – two in O’Fallon and a third under construction – began with Chris’s father in the 1980s. After 14 years with McDonald’s corporate, Chris’s dad took a leap of faith in 1994, transitioning from corporate to franchise ownership. He named his business Christian Foods to honor the family’s Catholic faith—a value that has guided the business legacy ever since.
Chris, who worked his way up through the ranks, eventually took over the family business. Today, the franchisee oversees 13 McDonald’s restaurants across the St. Louis area, including the two bustling locations in O’Fallon at Highway K and McDonald’s Lane and North Main Street. The third O’Fallon location, set to open at Interstate 70 and Bryan Road, broke ground in August.
Chris attributes much of his success to the supportive environment in O’Fallon, especially his partnership with SelectOFALLON.
“When McDonald’s corporate approached us about expanding in O’Fallon, it was an easy decision,” Chris said. “All our locations benefit from a steady flow of customers from nearby residential, business, and school areas. The city is growing in all the right ways.”
SelectOFALLON played a key role in helping Christian Foods navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with expanding a franchise business. From the beginning, when the Giarla family was new to O’Fallon, SelectOFALLON reached out, offering help and guidance. Over the years, the team has been there for everything, from major roadwork that could have impacted sales to navigating complex engineering challenges with new store construction.
“When the city needed to add a median to Highway K, which would block McDonald’s Lane, SelectOFALLON kept us in the loop and worked with us to find the best solution,” Chris said. “Even during the construction, we didn’t lose any sales. That’s the kind of partnership you want when you’re growing a business.”
In another instance, a water main break on their property revealed that an old retaining wall had been built on the water line. The city quickly assembled a team to explore solutions and prevent future issues.
“The city’s engineers and SelectOFALLON are helping us develop a plan to help with future water runoff,” Chris said.
And today, the construction of the new Bryan Road site is no different. With SelectOFALLON’ S assistance, Christian Foods has been working closely with city engineers, building inspectors and public works to ensure the project runs smoothly.
“It’s amazing to see how much O’Fallon has grown over the years,” Chris says. “They’ve done a great job helping us get established and flourish.”
Christian Foods now employs about 125 people in O’Fallon, with more jobs expected when the new location on Bryan Road opens next year. Despite the recruitment challenges many cities face, Chris notes that they have been fortunate, maintaining 95-98% of their staffing needs.
“It’s all about the people,” Chris says. “My dad always taught me the importance of treating our employees and customers like family. That’s what makes O’Fallon so special—the sense of community and support.”
Christian Foods fosters a family-first culture where employees are valued, and customer relationships are cherished.
“We host round tables for our managers, meet new employees in the stores and greet our customers, many of whom are regulars,” Chris said. “That family-first motto is what attracts us to O’Fallon and keeps us connected to the SelectOFALLON team.”
As Chris looks to the future, he hopes his sons will take over Christian Foods one day, continuing the family tradition of serving the community with heart and dedication.
“There’s something special about O’Fallon,” Chris said. “I encourage others to open businesses here. The customers are great, and the city is always here to support you. It’s more than just a place to do business—it’s a welcoming community.”