In a significant expansion move, McDonald's Philippines has inaugurated a new flagship restaurant in Cebu City, blending local artistry with environmental stewardship. The opening at Il Corso, Filinvest Mall's seaside development along the South Coastal Road, marks the quick-service giant's 36th branch in Cebu Province and celebrates the brand's 44th year in the country.
A Store Built on Community and Sustainability
The store was formally launched on November 29, with McDonald's Philippines President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang leading the ceremonies alongside Cebu City local officials and Filinvest Malls representatives. Yang emphasized that the store's design pays homage to Cebu's status as the Design Capital of the Philippines, while its operations are anchored on the company's Green and Good sustainability platform.
As a Green and Good store, McDonald's Il Corso is equipped with several eco-friendly features designed to minimize its environmental footprint. These include:
- Rooftop solar panels and solar-powered lampposts
- A rainwater harvesting tank
- Power-saving motion sensors and LED lighting
- A Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air conditioning system
- Sustainable packaging to help reduce waste
The store's aesthetic also celebrates Cebuano creativity, incorporating design elements like solihiya patterns, sawali-inspired finishes, and accents resembling rattan, bamboo, and wood.
More Than Meals: Employment and Crisis Response
Beyond its physical presence, the new outlet underscores McDonald's commitment to socioeconomic support. Each new store creates jobs for 80 to 100 individuals, continuing the company's long-standing practice of direct hiring and non-contractualization for its nationwide workforce of approximately 70,000.
The opening event also featured the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Cebu City local government for the M for All inclusive hiring program. This initiative will provide employment opportunities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Specifically, 17 McDonald's stores across Cebu will hire 102 senior citizens, with each store welcoming two seniors for a three-month engagement period.
McDonald's also demonstrated its community role by activating its Kindness Kitchen in response to the earthquake and typhoon that hit Cebu in October and November. The initiative delivered over 24,000 hot meals to affected residents, front-line workers, and volunteers. In a separate festive gesture, the company is providing 5,000 free Happy Meals to Cebu City children this Christmas, donated through the local government.
Recognition and Future Commitments
McDonald's Philippines' focus on its people was recently recognized when it received the Employer of the Year Award from the People Management Association of the Philippines during an awards night held in Cebu City. The company attributes this to practices like offering flexible schedules for working students—who make up about 70% of its crew—and providing world-class training.
Looking ahead, McDonald's pledges to continue community partnerships, like the Il Corso Coastal Clean-up Drive held last September 6 with Filinvest Land, and other activities aligned with its Green and Good platform. The opening of the Il Corso store represents not just physical growth, but a deepened commitment to sustainable operations, inclusive employment, and steadfast community support in the Visayas region.
