McDonald’s Saipan turns 21

A young Joe Erra Ayuyu Jr. is shown in this undated photo. (Contributed Photo)

The famed Golden Arches of the CNMI is turning 21 years old this month and to celebrate the occasion McDonald’s Saipan will have its usual anniversary promotions at both its Middle Road and Beach Road locations.
This Friday and Saturday, McDonald’s Saipan will be rolling out its new Club House burgers and chicken sandwiches and customers who choose its Extra Value Meal versions can buy a second sandwich for just $3.

In addition, a purchase of an Extra Value Meal Fish Fillet will allow you to buy a second Fish Fillet sandwich for only $2. This promo is available on Friday only, March 21.

During those two days, McDonald’s Happy Meal packages are all $1 off. As if that’s not enough, all of McDonald’s breakfast menu (except Hotcakes Sausage and Plain Hotcakes) are also $1 off on March 21 and 22.

On the second day of McDonald’s Saipan’s anniversary, the fastfood franchise will be giving away a free McDonald’s glass for every $20 purchase, until supplies last.

On Saturday, the islands’ most famous clown, Happy The Clown, will also make an appearance from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 7pm at McDonald’s Saipan’s Middle Road branch, giving away party balloons and initiating games for kids.

McDonald’s Saipan general manager Marcia Ayuyu said the fastfood restaurant’s 21st anniversary promotions are a big thank you to the local community that has supported them the past two decades.

She said that’s one of the reasons why McDonald’s Saipan has also given back to the community every chance it gets.

Ayuyu said McDonald’s Saipan has extended financial support to the Public School System through McTeacher’s Night, Karidat, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, Saipan Little League Baseball Association, Northern Marianas Athletics, Office of Aging, and various islandwide and beach cleanups.

Aside from the community, Ayuyu also thanked her hardworking staff for making McDonald’s Saipan the longest-tenured international fastfood chain on island. Without her loyal staff, McDonald’s Saipan wouldn’t have lasted 21 years, she said.

Leadership transition

Ayuyu also announced that 2014 will see a leadership transition at McDonald’s Saipan as she and her husband, McDonald’s Saipan president Joe Ayuyu, plan to slowly hand over the reins of the company to their children.

She said their son, Joe Erra Ayuyu Jr., will be assuming a bigger leadership role at the company, with plans of eventually replacing her as general manager.

The younger Ayuyu recently graduated from the Miami University of Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in economics. The 22-year-old also recently was sworn in as board member of the CNMI Zoning Office.

“I still have a lot to learn about the business and such a transition will take some time. But with the help of my family, friends, and the staff here at McDonald’s, I know that when the time comes I will be prepared for the responsibility,” said Ayuyu Jr.

He said growing up as the son of the man who brought McDonald’s to the islands has both its advantages and disadvantages.

“To be honest, while growing up in school I was a bit embarrassed of being the McDonald’s guy. I wanted to make a name for myself but my family name and the business were inseparable. As a kid I had focused on the negatives but now I understand what hard work and dedication went into creating this legacy. I’m so proud of my parents and now all I want to do is continue what they’ve started while making footprints of my own.”

While Joe Ayuyu Jr. is learning the ropes as a general manager-in-training, he will be assisted by erstwhile department manager Manny Corpuz, who has been promoted to assistant general manager.

Corpuz said it’s an honor to be promoted to second-in-command of McDonald’s Saipan’s day-to-day operations, adding that hard work truly pays off. Corpuz has been with the company for 13 years and started as a regular crewmember. (Saipan Tribune)

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ANNIVERSARY PROMOS

MARCH 21

– Buy Extra Value Meal of new Club House burgers and chicken sandwiches, buy second sandwich for $3.

– Buy Extra Value Meal Fish Fillet and get second Fish Fillet sandwich for only $2.

– Happy Meals are all $1 off.

– Breakfast menu (except Hotcakes Sausage and Plain Hotcakes) are $1 off.

MARCH 22

– Buy Extra Value Meal of new Club House burgers and chicken sandwiches, buy second sandwich for $3.

– Happy Meal packages are all $1 off.

– Breakfast menu (except Hotcakes Sausage and Plain Hotcakes) are $1 off.

– Every $20 purchase gets a free McDonald’s glass, until supplies last.

– Happy The Clown will be at McDonald’s Saipan’s Middle Road branch from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 7pm.