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McDonald’s newest branch in Guam will be going high-tech
Jose “Joe” Ayuyu is joined by his wife Marcia Ayuyu, friends, and guests at the Mcdonald’s Yigo groundbreaking site in Guam. (Contributed Photo)
McDonald’s Guam is opening another branch in Yigo.
This, however, is no ordinary branch; it’s the franchise’s leap into the 21st century in the Marianas, according to McDonald’s Guam and Saipan president and owner Jose “Joe” Ayuyu Guam.
The new McDonald’s will feature digital menu boards, a self-order kiosk, an automated drink system, and table service.
People on-the-go will get their orders smoothly in the comfort of their cars in the double-lane drive-through.
“This will be the first McDonald’s in Guam that is modern in the sense of its looks, kitchen equipment, and service…When it comes to technology, my staff knows that if it’s available, I want it,” said Ayuyu.
The restaurant will have a seating capacity of 52 occupants in its 4,000-square-foot property located at the corner of Route 1 and Chalan Kujuna in Yigo. They are in the process of hiring 60 new employees.
“When you look at Dededo and Yigo, you can understand that these are the fastest growing community in Guam. Of course, we have our current location at Mobil, but it’s completely maxed out as far as what it can do for the community,” Ayuyu said. “I think this will be a win-win for both the business and the community. We can alleviate traffic at the Mobil location while also increasing sales. We’re excited.”
Opening four new branches in Guam is already on the table and Ayuyu is looking into more locations with much optimism.
“What I like about Guam is that it is growing steadily. In the Northern Marianas, we’ve seen what rapid and unpredictable growth can do and we know that at the end of double-digit growth, there’s a double-digit slump. I don’t see that with Guam.”
Guam Business Magazine has named Ayuyu its 2016 Executive of the Year. He was born and raised on Saipan. In an interview with Saipan Tribune last year, Ayuyu said he enjoys being part of the McDonald’s company and having a family-run business on Saipan and now in Guam.
“It is all about family. For the past 23 years, my wife was my business partner.”
Ayuyu and his wife, Marcia, are joined by their daughter Ashley Ayuyu in running the business in Guam as human resources director of McDonald’s. (Bea Cabrera)
