They are known in the global franchise as the Mr and Mrs McDonald's of Wollongong.

But not only have Glenn and Katia Dwarte helped put the city on the McDonald's map, they have done much for their local Shellharbour community.

A glimpse back over three decades gives an indication of just how much.

While they recently attracted international attention for introducing a table-service trial at their Warilla restaurant, the couple's philanthropic habits go back decades.

The list of what they have done for the community is so long it was a challenge for the McDonald's hierarchy when it decided to recognise the Dwartes at the Australia and New Zealand Owner Operators Convention in Auckland this year.

Only a few owner operators in the world are awarded "The Ronald", and when the Dwartes were recognised for the work they do in the community, no-one could compile a complete list.

Most recently the Dwartes have been giving two Oak Flats High School students with autism work experience at their Warilla restaurant every Tuesday.

"They are coming once a week for eight weeks to see how they fit in," Mrs Dwarte said.

"We have taken them on with a view of employing them."

The couple once employed a student from a similar program who remained an employee for eight years. That community-minded approach to business began in 1978 when Mrs Dwarte started working at McDonald's Warrawong as a teenager and it introduced the first drive-thru in Australia.

Mrs Dwarte went on to became the area supervisor of four Illawarra stores before she and Mr Dwarte opened Warilla, which has continually ranked among the busiest and best in Australia, despite not having highway frontage.

They now also own the Warrawong store as well as the new food court McDonald's at Stockland Shellharbour. Mrs Dwarte recalled being described as quiet achievers when Warilla became the only one of 800 stores in Australia to be presented with "The Ronald".

"People came up to us after the award and asked us about what we do each Christmas Eve, not realising we have been [providing meals to the disadvantaged] for 18 years," she said.

They were also astounded at the number of schools, charities and sporting teams the Dwartes have supported over many years.

"We employ 265 people in the three stores and I think that makes us the biggest private employer in Shellharbour," Mr Dwarte said.

He said it was important to give back to the community that had supported the business so well.

He recalled how someone he respected in business once told him to "always be good to the people who are good to you and help the people who are less fortunate than you".

Recent examples of that have included the Dwartes donating $10,000 to a single mother of three, who was being treated for cancer and unable to work.

The Dwartes insist recognition is not their motivation.

They were nominated for an Order of Australia award for community support.