During an audience developed at the presidential residence, with President Vazquez; Ernesto Murro, the Uruguayan Minister of Labour; Woods Staton, Executive President of Arcos Dorados; and Ricardo Méndez, General Director of Arcos Dorados Uruguay, the largest independent franchise of Mc Donald’s in the world, the company’s leaders shared their modernization and expansion plans; and reasserted their commitment towards youth employment by signing an agreement.

The company announced a USD 10 million investment to modernize its restaurants with an innovative and modern experience, as well as to open new restaurants and create new employment opportunities for young people looking for their first job.

With this agreement, McDonald’s endorses the Uruguayan government’s initiatives to increase formal employment opportunities for young people. The goal of this agreement is to promote employment, education, and professional training among those who are just entering the labour market, enabling them to get their first job.

During the last decade, Arcos Dorados has provided employment opportunities for 15,000 youngsters aged 16 to 25 years old. The company has a strategy that aims at generating social impact by delivering opportunities that strengthen young people’s skills, providing key tools for their professional future.

Uruguay is the third country Arcos Dorados has picked in Latin America to implement its new restaurants –the other two countries are Argentina and Brazil-, which delivers an experience that is in tune with the customers’ current lifestyle.

“As a company committed with the community, we take responsibility for actively collaborating to eliminate the difficulties that come when looking for a first job, expanding young people’s opportunities and reducing youth unemployment rates.  During the last five years we have invested in preparing our restaurants behind the counter for this new experience”, said Ricardo Méndez, General Director of Arcos Dorados Uruguay.

“This USD 10 million investment plan reinforces our 27 years commitment in Uruguay to offer a differentiating experience. We are thrilled with the evolution we are going to experience with our customers. We have paid close attention to their requests and suggestions, and the changes made address their needs and are in tune with their current lifestyle”, added the executive.