Arcos Dorados, the largest independent McDonald’s franchisee operating quick-service restaurants in Latin America and the Caribbean, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Aruba. To mark the occasion, the company has renovated all three of its local restaurants and reaffirmed its strong commitment to sustainability and youth employment opportunities. Since beginning operations in 2007, Arcos Dorados – literally meaning Golden Arches – has consistently delivered quality meals while providing valuable job opportunities to young, talented individuals.
For four decades, McDonald’s has been a part of Aruban culture, creating memorable moments across generations.
“Celebrating 40 years of McDonald’s in Aruba, we reflect on our commitment to quality, community, and sustainability. Our 14 sustainability initiatives implemented in the newly renovated restaurants demonstrate our responsibility toward the environment and our dedication to making a positive impact in the community. Together, we are opening a new chapter to serve the people of Aruba with the same passion and dedication as we have for the past four decades,” said Diego Paniagua, Managing Director of Arcos Dorados Aruba, Curaçao, and Trinidad & Tobago.
To reinforce its commitment to Aruba, Arcos Dorados invited Prime Minister Mike Eman to discuss the government’s continued support for sustainable growth and expanding employment opportunities that help local youth develop and grow their skills.
“Our goal is sustainable growth in every market we serve. During a recent meeting with Prime Minister Eman, we had the privilege to present our strategic initiatives for Aruba—focusing on empowering local youth and advancing sustainability to benefit both current and future generations,” said Marlene Hernández del Granado, Corporate Vice-President for Government Relations in Latin America.
Expanding opportunities: MCampus Comunidad launches in Aruba
As part of its mission to create a positive community impact, McDonald’s Aruba is proud to launch MCampus Comunidad, a free online education platform available to all Arubans.
MCampus offers 26 different free courses. Currently, 125,000 users are actively improving their skills to become more competitive in the job market.
Now, all Arubans can earn a certificate from Hamburger University. The platform provides the tools needed to reach personal and professional goals. Course topics include digital marketing, entrepreneurship, customer service, personal finance, writing and presentation skills, information technology, and more.
MCampus Comunidad, made available through Arcos Dorados, promotes access to education and empowers young people to reach their full potential. The platform features:
- Free access for everyone
- 100% digital training with relevant and up-to-date topics
- Official certification from Hamburger University
- Courses available in Spanish and Portuguese
- A user-friendly interface
Users can explore all programs—ranging from personal growth to professional and technological development—at www.mcampuscomunidad.com.
“I started my career at McDonald’s at the age of 17, working in a restaurant in Rosario, Argentina, my hometown. Today, I’m responsible for three islands. Thanks to Arcos Dorados, which offers growth and training opportunities to its employees, I’ve been able to grow professionally. I encourage all Arubans looking for new career opportunities to visit MCampus Comunidad and learn new skills to get closer to their goals and dreams,” said Diego Paniagua.
A new digital experience: Connecting customers with their favorites
McDonald’s has reimagined its customer experience by modernizing all three of its Aruba locations—Palm Beach, Seroe Blanco, and Santa Cruz—introducing a fully digital environment.
The “Experience of the Future” (EOTF) restaurants now feature self-order kiosks that allow customers to customize their orders digitally, choose preferred payment methods, and enjoy table service. The Drive-Thru lanes also feature new screens to simplify ordering.
“Whether you’re dining in or passing through the Drive-Thru, we’re always looking for ways to innovate. Our self-order kiosks and app are designed to make your experience easier,” said Herly Hererra, Market Manager for Arcos Dorados Aruba.
Sustainable initiatives to reduce environmental impact
McDonald’s has implemented 14 sustainable initiatives in its three newly renovated Aruba restaurants. Its Recipe for the Future program focuses on innovative solutions to minimize environmental impact, including LED lighting, energy-efficient air conditioning, and rainwater reuse.
As part of this initiative, Arcos Dorados aims to use more sustainable materials. In Aruba, they have already eliminated 97% of unnecessary materials and continue to innovate to further reduce waste.
Supporting the community with Great Day
Every year, McDonald’s supports the community through its Great Day campaign. For the past nine years, the company has sold more than 9,000 Big Macs annually, with all proceeds benefiting Centro Man Na Obra. This year, McDonald’s will begin selling vouchers starting in September. If you would like to contribute to the community, purchasing a voucher is a great way to be part of the upcoming Great Day celebration.
About Arcos Dorados
Arcos Dorados is the world’s largest independent McDonald’s franchisee, operating the largest quick-service restaurant chain in Latin America and the Caribbean. It holds the exclusive rights to own, operate, and franchise McDonald’s restaurants in 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries and territories. The company manages more than 2,400 restaurants—either directly or through sub-franchisees—which together employ over 100,000 people (as of September 30, 2024). Arcos Dorados is committed to supporting local communities, offering young people their first formal job opportunities, and making a positive environmental impact through its Recipe for the Future initiative. Arcos Dorados is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ARCO). For more information, visit their website.
