‘The community is our bread and butter’

File photos show the McDonald’s Middle Road branch soon after its opening in 1993 and the Ayuyu family posing with guests on opening day. (Contributed photos)

McDonald’s is celebrating its 28th anniversary today in a milestone that gives Joe Ayuyu Jr., vice president of McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan, a brief time to step back, exhale, and look back at everything that led to this milestone. Ayuyu credits this important period in the history of McDonald’s of Saipan to hard work, dedication and giving importance to every customer.

“We are humbled and grateful to reach McDonald’s of Saipan’s 28th anniversary. We feel that our customers believe in us and showed the loyalty that kept us in business, especially in a small community where our repeat customers are our bread and butter and particularly now that we don’t have our transient customer base of tourists,” he said.

Ayuyu said his parents have always instilled in him the idea that it is the community that makes their business successful “and that’s why it’s so important to give back.”

Being a part of the community means being a good neighbor, he said, and that includes helping out after natural disasters like typhoons and the current pandemic happen. “We’re lucky enough to be there for the community when they need us most. …They trust us. When typhoons happen, not all businesses can reopen immediately so we try to open right away because we know our community depends on us,” he added.

Joe Ayuyu Jr., vice president of McDonald’s of Guam and Saipan.

For over a year now, the pandemic has ravaged businesses all over the world and Saipan is no exception. While everyone was groping in the dark on how to continue to remain open for business, Ayuyu knew they had to adjust. “The biggest challenge in the beginning was the safety of our employees and customers and adjusting to all the protocols. We had to change our old processes to be able to meet the new criteria of safety and sanitation. We overcame this with help from our McDonald’s resources and the local Department of Public Health to ensure that we were in compliance as soon as possible,” he said.

“Another challenge was dealing with ‘fear’ in both our staff and our customers. We knew we have to treat this as a priority. We needed to help them overcome this fear. We needed our staff to come in to work to serve our customers. We had to assure our employees and customers that they are safe by giving them information, educating them, helping them understand the virus, how it spreads and how to prevent the spread,” he added.

The pandemic may have delayed renovation plans but that doesn’t mean the work won’t happen. “… We still intend to complete our plans. …What we are most excited about is the renovation and bringing a new, modernized, fresh look to McDonald’s. Part of this change is called ‘Experience of the Future,’ which will bring in digital menu boards, self-ordering kiosks and modernized seating and décor for our dining area. …We’re also looking forward to bringing back the community’s favorites such as McRib and Shamrock Shake,” Ayuyu said.

“…We’re lucky to be able to give opportunities for employment to the community…and also offer our employees [the] opportunity for career advancement. …We thank the community for their continued support of McDonald’s despite the pandemic. They still come and trust that we serve them delicious food safely and with safety measures inside our restaurant. …We truly are all in this together,” he added.

For Ayuyu, he just doesn’t ‘sell’ products, he is also a fan of them. “I love the food! My favorites are Bacon Quarter Pounder Sandwich, Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Oreo McFlurry, and Strawberry Crème Pie. I also love the people I work with for they are like family and the challenges that everyday brings because it’s always different and my days are never the same. I love seeing our customers happy when they’re eating at McDonald’s,” he said.