Thursday, December 14, 2006 McDonald’s opens another branch in Colon, eyes more outlets in Cebu
INTERNATIONAL fastfood chain McDonald’s has opened its ninth branch in Cebu, along Colon Street, with the hope of snagging more cutomers who frequent Cebu City’s old business district.
The location of the new outlet, which sits on a property previously occupied by a gasoline station on the corner of Colon and Bromeo Streets, is “strategic,” said McDonald’s Cebu operations consultant Christian Eje.
It has a sitting capacity of 100, ample parking space and opens from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Eje said McDonald’s originally planned to operate two branches in the downtown area.
But its outlet at Plaza Fair Colon was razed along with the department store last Aug. 15.
Eje said that despite McDonald’s being an international fastfood chain, it does not discriminate against customers.
“Maski naka-tsinelas welcome didto,” he added. (Even those wearing rubber slippers are welcomed there.)
Expansion
Eje said that with Cebu’s “pulsating and dynamic” developments, the company has lined up expansion in key areas around the province.
“Definitely there will be more branches because the demand for fastfood in Cebu continues to grow,” he said. He declined to reveal the location of future branches.
He said future outlets may not necessarily be free-standing as McDonald’s plans to anchor its branches near gasoline stations, similar to its Manila branches.
Its eighth branch in Basak, Mandaue City, which began operating last Oct. 28, is the first outlet in the entire Visayas and Mindanao located at a gasoline station.
This proves to be an advantage for the fastfood chain since the location is accessible to drive-through customers as well as those who stop by to gas up, Eje said.
Added service
Meanwhile, in its thrust to improve customer satisfaction, Eje revealed in a text message that McDonald’s plans to launch its delivery service for its Mandaue branch next month.
The branch caters to residents in the northern part of Cebu.
Eje said that with the Cebuanos’ “fast-paced” lifestyle, he is optimistic the fastfood industry will continue to gain popularity, especially among students and working professionals.
McDonald’s has about 300 branches nationwide.
In Cebu City, its outlets can be found in Basak-Mambaling, Ayala Center Cebu, Osmeña Blvd., Fuente Osmeña, JY Square Mall, and SM City Cebu. It also has a branch in Lapu-Lapu City.
While all Cebu branches are company-owned, Eje said McDonald’s is open to interested franchisees.
He said McDonald’s will soon open a franchise outlet in Dumaguete City, which will be the company’s first branch in Oriental Negros. (MMM)
