Unfazed by the Covid-19 pandemic, McDonald’s Philippines said on Tuesday that it will continue to expand nationwide, as the company is opening 15 more stores this year.
In an online press briefing, McDonald’s Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth S. Yang admitted that the number is lower than their original target since they need to adjust their plan given the crisis.
“That’s something we have to continue to assess as time goes [by], and let’s see how the economy will be able to sustain additional growth from the business. So we are flexible and ready to accelerate our growth once the circumstances allow,” Yang said.
Since the health crisis started, the fast-food giant has introduced innovations both in its physical stores and digital platforms to adjust to the new normal while adhering to the safety protocols set by the government.
“We have made a lot of adjustment, especially to ensure we continue to have revenue or sales and we continue to do that, and drive our omnichannel.”
Among its new offerings is an ordering channel via the Facebook Messenger chatbot that allows consumers to conveniently place their orders online. The “Park, Order and Pay” has also kicked off in some stores. The M Group Selections allow small groups to celebrate with McDonald’s food at good value, available via McDelivery, drive thru, pick up or take out.
The brand remains available and accessible through platforms such as McDelivery, GrabFood, and FoodPanda. Customers can check out deals and other special offers through the McDonald’s app available on Android and iOS.
“As we continue and the lockdowns eased and people start to have the confidence to go out and dine out, we should see also ourselves improving,” Yang said.
“But in the meantime, we will try to take advantage, exploit all these channels that are available to us so that we can continue to strengthen the business even now. And I think as we proceed in the future, we should see our business really solidify and also strengthen and be able to expoit dine-in.”
Of the existing McDonald’s stores nationwide, 93 percent are now open. With the recent resumption of dine-in services, the employees have complied to these safety protocols: daily submission of health check forms; temperature checks before and after every shift; increased hand washing frequency to every 30 minutes; provision of M Safe Care kits, including vitamins to help them take better care of their health.
The number of customers within the stores are managed to ensure physical distancing. Prior to their entrance, they adhere to ‘no mask, no entry’ policy, temperature check, hand and footwear disinfection, and completion of a health check form.
Table service is done for dine-in customers. Counter and table shields are also in place. A dedicated safety manager is assigned in every store to ensure all protocols are followed. A customers feedback is also encouraged via msafe@ph.mcd.com.
“So quality, service, safety and cleanliness have always been part of the operating culture of McDonald’s. That’s why we’ve really put a lot of emphasis on safety ever since we started operating in the Philippines, but more so now. We’ve elevated our standards that are already stringent, and we’ve really reinforced cleanliness and sanitation,” said Margot B. Torres, managing director of McDonald’s Philippines.