McDonald’s Celebrates 40 years on Curaçao

The first McDonald’s on the island opened its doors 40 years ago on August 16, 1974 at the location on Dr. Maalweg in Willemstad. Today, there are five McDonald’s restaurants, located in Salinja, Santa Maria and Santa Rosa, including four McCafé segments and one dessert center kiosk operating in Curaçao.

The most recent store opening was at Santa Rosaweg in 2011, and was the first McDonald’s to open in 16 years on Curaçao. It was the first since Arcos Dorados, the world’s largest McDonald’s franchisee in terms of systemwide sales and number of restaurants, entered the local market in 2007.

Arcos Dorados has established a reputation in its 20 markets as a leading employer, providing both job opportunities and options for growth and development within the organization. With more than 95,000 employees throughout the region, the company has been ranked the ninth largest employer in Latin America by the Latin Business Chronicle and is also recognized as one of the regions leading employers of young first-time jobholders. “Arcos Dorados recently made a serious investment in the re-image of all our restaurants in the country and we continue to invest with creating job opportunities for more than 270 locals,” said Gabriel Serber, Managing Director for Arcos Dorados Caribbean Region. “Our people are our most valuable asset and we promote professional development within a work environ- ment designed to help our employees to progress, enhance their knowledge, and chart their future careers. The appointment of Jennifer Poulina, a native of the island, as our Operations Supervisor for Curaçao exemplifies our promise of developing local talent,” he added.

“McDonald’s and Arcos Dorados wish to thank all the people who have been a part of our 40 year history in Curaçao. These include Arcos Dorados and McDonald’s personnel, our managers and crew members, local suppliers and business partners, the Government of Curaçao, and of course, the citizens of Curaçao, who have always shown great interest in our restaurants for the past four decades. We look forward to continue serving our communities with quality food and a variety of menu choices for our valued customers for many more years to come,” said Serber. McDonald’s and Arcos Dorados widely pronounce its commitment to giving back to the communities. In 2008, the Ronald McDonald Children’s Foundation Board adopted the Ronald McDonald Family Room (RMFR) in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, which is the first program of the organization on the island. In 2011, Arcos Dorados made a significant contribution of USD $50,000 that allowed the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Curaçao Foundation to begin with the construction of the RMFR. Since the opening of the Family Room in the pediatric wing of St. Elisabeth Hospital in March 2012, the RMHC Curaçao Foundation has supported more than 3,200 families in need during difficult and trying times.

For more information about McDonald’s in Curaçao visit www.mcdonaldsdwi.com or Like the Facebook page McDonald’s Curacao and Aruba. For more information about Arcos Dorados visit www.arcosdorados.com.