Business

Tuesday March 17, 2009

McDonald’s to spend RM85m to expand ops


McDonald’s sees 15% sales growth

KUALA LUMPUR: McDonald’s Malaysia sees at least 15% growth in sales this year on the back of more outlets and higher demand for its delivery service and products like McValue meals.

Golden Arches Sdn Bhd, the operator of McDonald’s in Malaysia, would spend RM85mil to open more restaurants, renovate existing ones and expand its delivery business, said managing director Azmir Jaafar.

“Last year, our business grew more than 20%. We are targeting not less than 15% growth this year.

“We also plan to open 15 to 20 new restaurants this year and remodel 15 existing ones,” he said yesterday.

Opening of Tele Dynamics-McDonalds call centre. From right: Tele Dynamics Senior General Manager Paul Ting, Tele Dynamics CEO Takashi Watanabe, Golden Arches Restaurant Senior Brand Manager Christopher Charles and Golden Arches Restaurant Managing Director Azmir Jaafar checking out the ordering system

Azmir said this after an agreement signing with Tele Dynamics Sdn Bhd, which will manage inbound calls for the 24-Hour McDelivery Service.

The fast-food giant has already opened one new restaurant each in Taiping and Penang this year.

Azmir said the company’s lunch business had grown more than 50% since the launch of its McValue meal, which costs RM5.95.

“We have unveiled the second phase of our RM5.95 McValue lunch meal to include weekends and public holidays,” he said.

McDonald’s Malaysia was also targeting a 40% growth in sales this year for its delivery business, Azmir said.

“That will come from the improved operational efficiency of existing restaurants, our new call centre that provides convenience for customers and the opening of new outlets this year,” he said.

Azmir said the delivery business was “a big part” of the company’s operations, contributing over 8% to its total sales of RM800mil last year.

Tele Dynamics chief executive officer Takashi Watanabe said his company had invested RM2mil for the 148-seat call centre, which would run 24 hours and could handle 20,000 calls per day.

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