Tennessee McDonald's Franchise Draws Viral Attention for Easter Faith Displays

The windows at Tony and Gina Wolfe's McDonald's locations across Middle Tennessee carry no spring pastels or generic seasonal branding. Painted by hand, they depict crosses, an empty tomb, and the proclamation "He is Risen" in broad, colorful strokes.

When Burton S. Staggs, news director at GM Tennessee River Valley News, photographed one of the decorated windows and shared the image on Facebook in March 2024, the post spread quickly. "Multiple McDonald's in the Middle TN region share this message," Staggs wrote. "While many companies are opting to stay away from holiday-specific decorations, a Tennessee McDonald's franchisee is embracing them."

The displays are a tradition that long predates the viral moment. Gina's father, Tony Bastone, commissioned a local art student to paint religious artwork on the windows of Columbia's first McDonald's, which he and Carol Bastone opened in 1974. Gina and Tony Wolfe trained as franchise operators in 1991 and have continued the practice ever since, now across 14 locations in 9 cities through their operating company, Wolfe Enterprises. The portfolio spans Columbia, Spring Hill, Mt. Pleasant, Cornersville, Hohenwald, Lawrenceburg, Pulaski, and Waynesboro in Tennessee, plus Ardmore, Alabama, and collectively employs more than 800 people.

The Easter display is not the first time the Wolfes' window art traveled beyond their dining rooms. Christmas paintings featuring "His name is Jesus" and a nativity scene first went viral on Facebook around 2015 and were shared more than 50,000 times, drawing widespread debate about the so-called War on Christmas. The Wolfes issued a statement at the time: "Although we respect all values and beliefs, our window displays during the Christmas season have become something of a local tradition. As independent business owners, for many years, we have had the windows at our restaurants painted with similar messages."

The Easter posts drew response from people who know the industry from the inside. Tennessee resident Shelia Marie King, who identified herself as a McDonald's worker, commented: "Thank you Tony and Gina... wish they would all do this... I've worked at McDonald's for many years and it's very hard to even take off for Easter. At least what y'all did would make you feel a part of it." Another commenter, Tonja Spann, wrote that she had visited one of the locations and found "they're really kind in there too." Multiple users said they would drive from Alabama specifically to support the Wolfes' stores.

Not everyone responded warmly. Some social media users questioned the appropriateness of overt religious messaging at a commercial establishment, a friction point that tends to surface whenever faith and franchise intersect publicly.

The Wolfes have earned the Fred L. Turner Golden Arch Award, given to the top 1% of McDonald's Owner/Operators worldwide and considered the system's highest honor. Gina also became the first woman to serve as Chair of the Nashville Field Office Advisory Council and as President of the Greater Tennessee Valley Operators Association. Beyond their restaurants, the Wolfes support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville, Discipleship House for Women, and the Maury County Youth Educational Foundation, which previously recognized them for work in local schools.

The tradition Tony Bastone started with a paintbrush and a student artist in Columbia in 1974 now reaches 14 storefronts and, periodically, millions of screens.