Food

McDonald’s Philippines outperformed its pre-pandemic (2019) sales performance in 2022, setting new records for sales.

The quick service restaurant (QSR) giant, which is owned and run by its Chairman and Owner Dr. George T. Yang and President and CEO Kenneth Yang, credits its performance to its ongoing commitment to offering customers value for money, exciting limited-time menu offers, and an elevated omnichannel customer experience.

“McDonald’s Philippines’ strong performance in 2022 wouldn’t have been possible if not for the trust and continuous support of our customers all over the country. As we aim to consistently improve how we serve McDonald’s favorites to every Filipino, we are equally committed to providing feel-good experiences to our people [crew and managers] who make it all happen in our stores, and in communities where we operate for many years to come,” said Kenneth Yang, President and CEO of McDonald’s Philippines. 

Feeling good, feeling safe

Since the establishment of its first location in Morayta, Manila, in 1981, McDonald’s Philippines has upheld international standards for food safety and quality in the production and delivery of its meals, whether customers eat in, carry out, use the drive-thru, or get McDelivery.

As part of its M Safe program, which was launched in 2020, this was further improved during the pandemic. In order to improve its third-party food safety audit findings and customer perception scores on safety and trust, the company doubled down on its efforts in food safety and quality through ongoing monitoring, crew and manager training, and other means.

Since the launch of M Safe, the company’s findings on ‘brand trust’ increased by 5.4% which contributed to increased dine-in guest count, lifting market share for McDonald’s in 2022.

Setting the standard for doing good 

McDonald’s takes pride in its global learning and development programs from Crew Training to Restaurant Leadership courses to its Digital Academy. As one of the biggest employers in the country, McDonald’s Philippines believes that everyone has the opportunity to grow and succeed in the company which starts by first having job security. McDonald’s is the first quick-service restaurant in the country to practice a direct hiring policy, providing regular employment to all its crew members. In 2022, McDonald’s Philippines hired more than 17,000 new employees in support of its new store openings—employing working students regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. 

To date, the company has close to 60,000 employees in over 700 stores across the Philippines— with over 47,000 employees in Luzon, close to 6,000 employees in Visayas, and 5,000 employees in Mindanao.  

Serving meals with kindness 

McDonald’s also prioritizes its commitment to the communities where it operates. To serve meals to underserved families without access to food, McDonald’s Philippines launched the Kindness Kitchen, a flagship program of its charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). 

In December 2022, Kindness Kitchen has served over 800,000 meals, a 33% increase from 600,000 meals served in May. The initiative aims to serve 1 million meals by the end of 2023. 

McDonald’s is an example of constantly moving one step ahead in upholding its dedication to world-class excellence because it continuously improves the quality of the food, offers career possibilities to its employees, and has a beneficial impact on communities.

Yang reiterates, “It is these customers we serve, the people working in our restaurants and communities that we help that inspire and motivate us to be and do better. As many Filipinos continue to face challenges and recover from the pandemic, we want to be a place where they can experience feel-good moments. We want to be a company that Filipinos today and the future can trust.” 

Since industry and society benefit from having access to a clean, sustainable supply, water continues to be the most valuable resource on earth. Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), the sole producer of PepsiCo products in the nation, is committed to protecting the environment. One of these obligations is using ethical, responsible practices to manage its water consumption in cooperation with its many partners.

World Water Day is observed on March 22nd, and in addition to putting industry best practices and rules into place, PCPPI promotes process improvement to further optimize how water is used throughout all aspects of operations. “Maintaining our dedication to responsible water stewardship extends beyond having the procedures and guidelines necessary for our personnel to perform their duties successfully. As part of our advocacy, we urge our staff to embrace innovation,” said Frederick D. Ong, president and CEO of PCPPI.

Strategic plans supported by strong partnerships The water resource management policies of PCCPI are embodied in the Luntiang Yaman program, which covers the organization’s sustainability efforts.

These include the 3Rs approach to manage water consumption: reduce, re-use, and recycle. Other than reducing water use,

PCPPI also has protocols in place to optimize electricity use, optimize fuel yield, manage solid waste output, and community engagement. PCCPI also works with government authorities in the communities where it operates. For example, the organization actively works with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) to periodically assess the health of the waterways in the communities they operate alongside multi-sectoral groups.

Sto. Tomas: Shifting the traditional mindset PCPPI’s commitment to responsible water management is demonstrated in its manufacturing facilities, particularly in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. The plant has twice-received PCPPI’s Galing at Sikap Plant Excellence Award in Sustainability in 2021 and 2022. This recognition is given to the business units with the highest performance ratings on key focus areas of operations, including environmental resource management.

“The Sto. Tomas facility was lauded for its efforts in consuming water and energy in the most economical way, thereby minimizing environmental impact,” Ong added. According to Plant Manager Chrysler Salcedo, one of the best practices at work at the Sto. Tomas plant includes setting definitive operating hours for optimum target volume of water required, both for the products to be manufactured and for its manpower’s daily water consumption. This encourages all employees to become more mindful in their water use in daily operations. Regular training sessions on resource conservation are also scheduled, and serve as checkpoint meetings where employees can proactively address potential areas of concern.

“Open communication and collaboration make even the most complex policies work. In Sto. Tomas, it remains important for our team to engage in discussions about how we can best manage the resources we look after: water, electricity, and oil, among others,” said Salcedo. “To become more effective in our industry, we recognize the value of implementing more creative, cost-efficient policies so that we can better serve our communities,” he added. Strategic and planned updates in the Sto. Tomas plant have also been implemented to further manage how the facility consumes water, one of which involves decreasing the frequency of production line Clean-in-Place (CIP) procedures. These pertain to the overall cleaning of equipment used after continuous production.

“We shifted to a 72-hour cycle, which will allow us to save 780 liters of water a week. Combined with our stringent sanitation protocols, we are confident that our operations will continue to meet internal and industry standards while maximizing financial and resource savings,” Salcedo explained.

In this nation, PCPPI is the sole maker of PepsiCo beverages. Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Sting, Tropicana, Lipton Iced Tea, Milkis, Chum Churum Soonhari, and Premier are just a few of the well-known brands that are distributed by this company. Visit www.pepsiphilippines.com for more details on PCPPI and its products.

Greet the warm weather with gulaman, a delicious delight from the tropics and our collective childhood! With the uniquely Filipino flavors of buko pandan and mango from Mr. Hat Gulaman, make Summeryenda times more memorable while remaining cool and hydrated.

Complement your Summeryenda menu by preparing cool, refreshing snacks, desserts, and drinks with various tropical gulaman tastes like orange, lychee, strawberry, grape, and even coffee.

Do you desire additional tastes? Use Mr. Hat Gulaman’s unflavored gulaman, which is available in black, orange, yellow, white, red, and green colors, to indulge and create your own summer concoctions.

Bring the summer vibe with you wherever you are with the versatile gulaman – at the beach, a picnic in the park, on a hiking adventure, or hanging out in each other’s homes. Make jelly drinks or “samalamig”, flans, gulaman desserts, even gummies you can nibble on. The possibilities are endless.

Mr. Hat Gulaman has perfectly captured the Filipino taste. A popular flavor in the Philippines, the mango-flavored Mr. Hat Gulaman powder has a sweet and fruity taste that is perfect for summer desserts.

Buko Pandan is a Filipino dessert that typically features a mix of coconut and pandan flavors. Mr. Hat Gulaman’s buko pandan-flavored jelly powder captures this unique taste and can be used to make buko pandan salad.

Mr. Hat Gulaman’s strawberry-flavored jelly powder has a sweet and tangy taste that is perfect for making strawberry-flavored desserts that kids especially love.

What are you in the mood for? What is your favorite gulaman recipe? Whip it up with Mr. Hat Gulaman!

Mr. Hat Gulaman is a product of Filipino firm Seanluc, Inc. Its jelly powder is made from the finest natural seaweed extract. It is made from a mixture of carrageenan, sugar, flavorings and colorings.

Carrageenan is a type of seaweed-derived ingredient that is commonly used as a gelling agent in food products, while sugar is added for sweetness. Additional ingredients such as fruit flavors and food colorings are added to create unique flavors and colors.

Making jelly using Mr. Hat Gulaman does not require elaborate preparations. This makes drinks and dessert creation quicker, without sacrificing quality and flavor.

Even those on a tight budget can take on Mr. Hat Gulaman. To keep cool and refreshed this summer, stock up with Mr. Hat Gulaman varieties! Grab Mr. Hat Gulaman in all flavors and colors from Lazada, Shopee, and other local retail locations.

Check out the Mr. Hat Gulaman Website for more information and updates. See Mr. Hat Gulaman on TikTok and Facebook.

Since we adore merienda, our designated snack time, as Filipinos, one of the ways we enjoy desserts is through this practice. In our culture, merienda time is an opportunity to unwind from the day’s stresses while indulging in some delectable delicacies that will give us more energy.

In addition to the food, it is always enjoyable to have cozy hangout spots where we can savor the best delicacies the city has to offer. A location with delicious cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere is perfect for enhancing our experience and making our merienda time more enjoyable as a whole.

Scrumptious baked goodies for a sophisticated taste

From cold to warm drinks to savory and sweet treats, we have a wide selection of nibbles to choose from.

Introducing Bon Bakery’s new product, the Doughnettes! Hand-crafted through a meticulous step-by-step process, these Doughnettes are rolled, cut, dipped, and decorated by our pastry chef using artisan ingredients.

These delicious treats have six different flavors: Golden Bacon, Leche Flan, Mascarpone, Strawberry Shortcake, Manuka Honey, and Belgian Chocolate. Baked fresh daily!

Bon Bakery is your go-to spot for delectable treats. From their luscious cakes to savory pastries, they’re sure to satisfy your cravings.

Pinkberry x Bon Bakery’s 1st Collaboration Store

A sweet and savory partnership is here to fill your heart and palate! Pinkberry and Bon Bakery have combined into a collaboration store to create the perfect spot for you that will surely satisfy all your chill and sophisticated cravings.

Pinkberry has the tastiest, sweetest, and tangiest frozen yogurt that you’ve ever tasted! You may now get a warm delight from Bon Bakery and a refreshing treat from Pinkberry in the same location! To give you the best of both worlds without sacrificing quality, they integrated their menus. Choose your favorite frozen yogurt to go with your dessert from their broad menu of pastries and sweets.

Visit their establishments at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City to have a cup of delicious Bon Bakery and Pinkberry bliss as well as a delicious cup of cool swirly goodness from Pinkberry.

After renewing its relationship with the Manila municipal government, the Jollibee Group recently announced the restart of its inclusive employment program to hire older citizens and people with disabilities (PWD) in Manila.

The collaboration is in line with Jollibee Group’s mission to offer diverse groups of people fair job opportunities while promoting and upholding inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.

From the city’s Public Employment Service Office, Jollibee Group will hire 28 senior citizens and 17 people with disabilities to work in customer relations at its Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King locations in Manila (PESO). Before recommending candidates to the company, Manila PESO will screen and evaluate whether they are qualified. Also, applicants must obtain a medical clearance from the program’s authorized hospital, Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center.

“We started this program in 2019 with the Manila LGU. Working on this program in the past few years have allowed us to see how our elderly and differently abled individuals have appreciated the opportunity find gainful employment. The Jollibee Group continues to support this initiative of the Manila LGU, and we have been very fortunate to have a partner that shares the same desire and passion as the company in looking after the interest of our elderly and PWDs,” said Ruth Angeles, Jollibee Group Vice President and Head for Human Resources-Philippines and Global Organization, Leadership & Culture.

“We look forward to forging more partnerships with other LGUs so we can improve more lives and find reliable staff who can join us in our mission to share the joy of eating with everyone,” Angeles added.

The signing of the new memorandum of agreement held last January 31 was attended by Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, Vice Mayor Yul Servo Nieto, and Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Marlon Lacson, as well as officials from Jollibee Group represented by Public Affairs AVP Atty. Raul Academia and Philippine Region Human Resources Director Anna Prado.

The Office of Older Citizen’s Affairs and the Manila Department of Social Welfare are the best places to go for further details on this employment program.

As of 2019, the combined 39 Jollibee, Chowking, Mang Inasal, and Greenwich restaurants in Manila employed more than a hundred competent older citizens and people with disabilities. Jollibee Group was the first restaurant chain in the Philippines to do this. In 2019, Jollibee Group collaborated with the local governments of Antipolo and Pasay to launch the same inclusive employment program in addition to Manila.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com

Through its different shopping formats in 2023, including its flagship innovation UNLI-Fresh 399 with quickly expanding agri-fisheries firm MAYANI, leader of the supermarket chain WalterMart is increasing its shopper relevance and casting a wider community reach.

By announcing its provincial and Metro Manila caravans for the first quarter of this year—Cavite, Batangas, and Bulacan for February, then Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Muntinlupa, and Calabarzon region in March—WalterMart has already institutionalized this anticipated weekend shopping bonanza, which now moves metric tons of harvest per day.

Building on this enthusiasm for shopping, WalterMart Muntinlupa will host the first-ever “Palengke Day” from February 17 to 19, which aims to modernize the idea of “bagsakan” and give even the neighborhood “palengke” vendors access to freshly sourced everyday local products like onions and eggs, two of the most in-demand staples right now given the recent supply issues.

“We will provide value to our customers and to our community through: FRESH – commodities of utmost quality, reasonably priced, sourced from our local farmers and cooperatives with our alagang WM personalized service; SAVINGS – everyday savings with competitively-priced merchandise and options for private labels and house brands; and CONVENIENCE – provide complete assortment in a clean, safe, and comfortable one-stop shop with fast transactions both offline and online,” says Rose Caalam, General Manager of WalterMart Supermarket.

“Sharing the same vision with MAYANI, we always aim to bring good value products to our customers and provide a better life to our partner farmers.”

Since its humble beginnings as a small neighborhood store in 1992, WalterMart has grown to offer more than 20,000 items at low prices as well as significant consumer-focused achievements like mounting Palengke Fresh with MAYANI at the height of the lockdown, its 5S Safe Shopping Program, and its CallMeWally same-day grocery delivery service — all under the banner of its service campaign, “More to Love at WalterMart.”

“We will continue to innovate our joint offerings with WalterMart while being steadfast in our mission-first approach of strengthening those institutional market linkages for our smallholder growers and producers,” said Robert Esquillo, Partnerships Manager of MAYANI.

“Agriculture is a foundational and priority sector for the country, and we are optimistic that with the ecosystem of partners we developed over the years, MAYANI can drive more value for shoppers while creating positive social good across our agri-value chain.”

Following the official launch of the 700th McDonald’s Philippines location in Nuvali, Santa Rosa, Laguna—Again, bikers and tourists gathered to one of the nation’s top bicycling destinations, this time for the first-ever Tour de McDo, which took place on February 12.

The Tour de McDo is a multi-stage bicycle race that highlights McDonald’s commitment to sustainability and its newest Green and Good flagship outlets in Nuvali, Sta. Delos Reyes and Rosa are both in Tagaytay City.

With two routes to choose from—the Nuvali Loop, or the “Beginner Route,” which covers 17 kilometers in the neighborhood to and from the 700th Store, and the “Intermediate Ride,” which covers 50 kilometers to and from McDonald’s Nuvali to McDonald’s Delos Reyes in Tagaytay—close to 100 cyclists signed up for the free bike tour.

Tour de McDo kicked off with a Ceremonial Ride Out with McDonald’s Chief Happiness Officer Ronald McDonald. To make the inaugural ride more special, participants received special kits which include an exclusive Tour de McDo Dri Fit shirt, Tour de McDo limited-edition stickers, and a free McDonald’s breakfast meal.

Both McDonald’s Nuvali and McDonald’s Delos Reyes Tagaytay have bike-friendly features that include a Bike & Dine facility and will soon include a Bike Repair Station to cater to the needs of cyclists that frequent the scenic bike routes in both areas

“McDonald’s Philippines—together with our partners from Ayala Land – Nuvali— strengthen our commitment to the environment through our Green & Good initiative. Providing opportunities for our customers to take part in activities like Tour de McDo supports our advocacy of championing sustainable active mobility that results in lessening of emissions, creating a positive impact to communities we serve,” said Adi Hernandez, Corporate Relations Director for McDonald’s Philippines.

With its “Green & Good” project, McDonald’s pledges to find more environmentally friendly, sustainable methods of operating its restaurants. McDonald’s is committed to doing better in its efforts to protect the environment, which is why its Green & Good stores are constructed using eco-friendly building techniques like light gauge steel frames and run using energy-saving techniques like solar rooftops and lampposts, grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, a rainwater harvesting tank, and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning systems, among others.

The introduction of the RICHMADE brand has been appropriate and crucial given the nation’s goal of concentrating its resources to produce sustained food security. The leading food firm in Korea, CJ Feed &Care, recently introduced RICHMADE as the new brand to carry its feed range. Apart from Korea, the Philippines will be the first Asian nation where RICHMADE launches its products, followed by other Asian nations where it operates factories and enterprises.

This is a testament of CJ Feed & Care’s commitment in helping and supporting the country in growing the agriculture sector, particularly the feed and livestock industry. By using the RICHMADE brand in its feed products, the company’s customers, managed farms and stakeholders will be assured that the standard and technology placed in all RICHMADE feeds to be manufactured here in the Philippines is the same in all parts of the world.

GLOBAL TO LOCAL.

The Rich made launch here in the Philippines will be the first, leading the other countries in the Southeast Asian region where the company has plants and offices.

RICHMADE’s Luzon sales team in full force post for posterity during the company’s Business Launch held in their Luzon plant, located in San Rafael, Bulacan. For more than 50 years, CJ Feed & Care has been developing unrivaled feed manufacturing technology that drove the growth of the Korean livestock industry. It has taken on the challenge without hesitation to support the success of farms it manages. These traits have made CJ Feed & Care as one of the feed and livestock companies that has successfully branched out from Korea into the global market.

The introduction of RICHMADE is simply the beginning. CJ Feed &Care will outline their ambitions, which will encompass Animal Nutrition and the management and breeding of poultry and livestock till sale. They were inspired by the “farm to table” concept. CJ Feed & Care has opted to expand in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines since the company started its feed business in Korea in 1973. CJ Feed & Care is one of the feed and livestock companies that has successfully branched out from Korea into the worldwide market thanks to its continual global expansion.