MCDONALD'S OPENS FIRST RESTAURANT IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Woods Staton, President and CEO of Arcos Dorados, the largest operator of McDonald's restaurants in Latin America, and Milagros Bermúdez, Market Manager of Trinidad & Tobago, officially opened the country's first McDonald's restaurant, at one of the most popular shopping centers in the Caribbean, The Falls at West Mall.
Almost 100 employees have already been hired in the new market for positions of management, staff and crew. And the process of recruitment continues, informed Woods Staton, during the private ceremony held last Thursday: "we are providing great job opportunities for the people of Trinidad & Tobago, with unmatched training and development that will be a reference for a lifetime, as well as many opportunities for career advancement.".
He emphasized on the substantial investment that Arcos Dorados is making in the new operation in Trinidad, and the importance of having a long and mutually rewarding relationship with McDonald's customers, employees, suppliers and the national community. "Coming to Trinidad was an important step for us and we only took it after the most rigorous research was done," emphasized the CEO.
Strengthening McDonald's ties with the local community
Arcos Dorados relationship with the countries in which it operates goes beyond business, and Trinidad & Tobago is not an exception. "We believe that a 'good neighbor' not only operates in a given community, but also works to make it better" added Staton. "In keeping with that commitment, Arcos Dorados supports programs that promote childhood development through health, education and sports initiatives."
During the opening, the CEO presented a donation of US$ 10,000 to the Just Because Foundation, represented by Mr. Noel Joseph, CEO and co-founder of the organization. The donation will be destined to support the JBF Pediatric Specialty Unit, a multi-disciplinary, family-centered children's ward located at the Wendy Fitzwilliam Pediatric Hospital at Mount Hope. The Just Because Foundation is a local non-profit founded by Noel Joseph and his wife in honor of their son Jabez "JB" Joseph, and is dedicated to improving the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families.
In addition, the celebration of the first McHappy Day in Trinidad & Tobago on November 18, 2011, was announced. During the campaign this year, the total sales of Big Mac sandwiches will be donated to the Just Because Foundation as well. "McHappy Day is a community campaign that involves our employees, our customers, our neighbors, local celebrities and authorities. I take this opportunity to make a call to action, so that we can effectively impact the treatment of seriously ill children," Mr. Staton concluded.
About Arcos Dorados
Arcos Dorados is the world's largest McDonald's franchisee in terms of systemwide sales and number of restaurants, operating the largest quick service restaurant ("QSR") chain in Latin America and the Caribbean. It has the exclusive right to own, operate and grant franchises of McDonald's restaurants in 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries and territories, including Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curaçao, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. Thomas, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela. The Company operates or franchises 1,755 McDonald's-branded restaurants with over 86,000 employees serving approximately 4 million customers a day. Recognized as one of the best companies to work for in Latin America, Arcos Dorados is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ARCO). To learn more about the Company, please visit our website: http://www.arcosdorados.com.
Media contact in Trinidad & Tobago:Kenrick Attale, Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Limited, 622-6480 ext 227, kattale@lonsaatch.com
SOURCE Arcos Dorados - McDonald's
FONTE Arcos Dorados - McDonald?s