Our Founders

Kathleen and David Sparks have dedicated their lives to enhancing the Michiana Community since moving here in 1990. Following college, Kathleen began her career at the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. David started his career working at McDonald’s as a crew member while attending college. He went on to become a corporate employee at McDonald’s headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois where he covered U.S., Japan, and Asia markets.

Kathleen and David co-founded their KADA partnership after moving South Bend, Indiana in 1990 – buying just 3 restaurants. From that time until their retirement, they built the organization into a company that owned and operated 21 McDoanld’s restaurants and employed over 1,300 Michiana residents.

Throughout his career, David has been an active member serving numerous national boards/committees for McDonald’s. Kathleen sat on the Ronald McDonald House Charity Global Advisory Board in Oak Brook, Illinois from 1999-2001. In addition to their national affiliations, David and Kathleen have generously served on many local boards during their time in South Bend.

Kathleen’s involvement with the charity began 1992, becoming the first local president and the first state president of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in Indiana. In 2002, she turned her focus to opening one of the first Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in the country located at Memorial Hospital in South Bend. Together, with the support of local McDonald’s owner/operators, Kathleen and David were instrumental in bringing the 2005 McDonald’s All-American Basketball games to South Bend – with all proceeds going to the local RMHC chapters.

Kathleen and David have received numerous awards throughout their careers including the 2009 induction into the South Bend Hall of Fame. They have also received the prestigious Gerry Newman Award, the highest global RMHC award – an honor given annually to just one McDonald’s Owner.