McDonald’s celebrating 27 years on Saipan

A check donation given by McDonald’s owner/operator Marcia “Ruri” Ayuyu for the benefit of the man’amko is just one of the outreach and community activities that McDonald’s regularly get involved with. (Bea Cabrera)

Today is a big day for McDonald’s on Saipan as they celebrate 27 years of quality service and offering great tasting menu. President and owner Jose “Joe” C. Ayuyu acquired the franchise in 1993 and built the first McDonald’s restaurant in Chalan Laulau in the same year. Three years later, another McDonald’s restaurant opened in Garapan.

Six years ago, Joe Ayuyu’s wife, Marcia “Ruri” Ayuyu came on board as owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants and currently managing 120 employees on Saipan. With this husband-and-wife team at the helm, McDonald’s commitment to the business and heart for the community remained strong.

Every year, McDonald’s recognizes all its employees for their dedication and hard work. This is an annual event because the Ayuyus credit a large portion of McDonald’s success to its employees. “They are just not employees. …we treat them as they are part of our family and they motivate me,” Marcia Ayuyu said.

McDonald’s Saipan over the years has grown more than a mere fast food chain. It has taken steps to become more involved in the community as a facet to its social responsibility.

They assist and support sports and athletics events, youth development, man’amko, foundations, partnerships with the Public School System, educational entities, promotion of human welfare, working with other social organizations, and environmental protection.

Two years ago, the vision of McDonald’s Saipan to support environmental stewardship and spreading environmental protection came to fruition when they moved in the direction to develop ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle at its restaurants. Packaging was changed to plastic and Styrofoam to recyclable paper bags, paper cups, and burger containers like the Big Mac box.

The company has also participated in coastal clean-ups and has adopted several bus shelters on Saipan that they maintain regularly.

According to McDonald’s executive assistant to the president Natalie Mable A. Glenn, due to the challenging times, any planned outreach or activities for the second quarter and beyond will be “on-hold” right now. “Part of our continued service to people of Saipan, McDonald’s is continuously monitoring news shared by Centers For Disease Control and prioritizing a system surrounding COVID-19. Our customers’ safety and well-being remain our highest priority and we are committed in safeguarding our people and customers during this time,” she said.

“For 27 years, McDonald’s values of quality, service, and cleanliness have endured and today the same commitment and restaurant standards guides all our actions. We are one with the government and other businesses in safeguarding our people and customers during this outbreak. We are emphasizing social distancing within our restaurant and encourage customers to utilize our drive-thru because the McDonald’s Saipan that you know and love is safe and delicious as ever,” she added

To celebrate McDonald’s 27th year even further, look out for their amazing deals for limited time only starting with breakfast. Enjoy breakfast with “2 for only $5” and choose among sausage McMuffin with egg, bacon, egg and cheese McGriddles and bacon, egg and cheese biscuit.

Go for a quick snack and grab a 10-piece chicken McNuggets for only $2 and caramel sundae for only 99c.

While supplies last, from March 17 to 18 only, get a free tote bag for every $27 worth of purchase.

Getting your favorite McDonald’s food items is much easier now with the McDonald’s App. Enjoy it in three ways—first, use the App to order your favorite McDonald’s items ala carte or meal. Second, pay using any major credit card. Customers will not be charged until you check in. Third, check in at any participating restaurant to pick up your meal. Get your food given to you at the curbside so you won’t have to fall in line in the drive-thru.