McDonald’s facelift in October

17 September 2017, 12:00AM

It’s all systems go for McDonald’s Samoa in downtown Apia.

Starting 1 October, McDonalds will start renovations of its Apia restaurant.

“This work involves reconstruction to the existing building and its parking area and upgrading of all restaurant facilities to new international “Made 4 you” specifications,” a Press statement from the franchise said. 

“McDonalds intend to remain open for as long as possible during project provided we do not compromise our food and safety standard. 

“It is possible that at times only the drive –thru facility may operate.”

“The renovation is very necessary in order to upgrade the restaurant to McDonald’s International Standard of Operations.”

The Apia restaurant facelift is the beginning of a massive expansion by McDonald’s Samoa.

It includes new outlets in Vaitele, the Faleolo International Airport and Salelologa Savaii is estimated to cost over $5 million tala.

Owner of the McDonald’s franchise in both Samoa’s, Tautolo Agaoleatu Charlie Tautolo, said franchise Apia location renovation will have a seating capacity of 121 customers as well as adding a McCafe inside the restaurant itself.

 “We have already laid out all our plans for the McDonald’s Restaurant remodeling; we are looking to make it much bigger,” added Tautolo.

“And it falls in line with McDonald’s strategic plan to introduce the new system for ordering meals known as “Make-for-you” orders.

“The Apia location is the remaining McDonald’s that uses the ‘face-to-face’ model of taking orders; globally, the ‘face-to-face’ is being replaced with a “Make-for-you” model of ordering, ”Tautolo explained noting that with the “Make-for-you” ordering, food is only cooked upon order, allowing customers to receive hot and fresh food with every order.

The new model is designed to eliminate food wastage since McDonald’s outlets are required to dispose of any food not sold within 10 minutes of production.

As for the expansion outside of Apia, the McDonald’s owner said that with the assistance from the Samoa Airport Authority coupled with the blessing from government, the franchise will secure a location outside of the airport, (where the Polynesian Cargo warehouse is located.)

The Faleolo Airport restaurant will be a free-standing restaurant opened 24-7.

 “The Apia branch alone employs around 70 workers, once the new locations are opened, there will be many employment opportunities which will help the Government with the unemployment problem.”

Tautolo debuted in American Samoa in 2000 when the first McDonalds restaurant was opened in the territory.

He now operates the two restaurants in Tafuna and Fagatogo, as well as the Apia McDonalds Restaurant previously owned by former Minister of Cabinet Hans Joachim Keil.

The expansion at the Apia is planned to be completed in 7 months; however has Tautolo assured the public that the restaurant will remain open for the duration of the project.

17 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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