By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
MCDONALD’S U.S.A. President Joe Erlinger, who is responsible for the operations of nearly 14,000 branches in the U.S., visited McDonald’s Saipan and Guam President/Owner Jose C. Ayuyu, his family, and the restaurant’s locations on Guam on Saturday.
Erlinger is the first McDonald’s president to visit Guam since the restaurant established a presence on the island 55 years ago.
In an interview on Tuesday, Ayuyu said he was honored to be visited by the president of McDonald’s U.S.A. He noted that there are thousands of McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S., so Erlinger’s visit to the Marianas was pleasantly unexpected.
Ayuyu said he is thankful to Erlinger for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit him and the McDonald’s branches on Guam. “It was amazing that Erlinger’s main purpose was to visit me,” Ayuyu said. “We must be doing something good.”
He added that two months ago, he received a call from Erlinger, who told him he would pay a visit in two months.
Ayuyu said Erlinger also met with his wife, McDonald’s Saipan and Guam Owner/Operator Marcia Ayuyu, his son, Vice President Joe Jr., and the staff of McDonald’s Restaurants on the island. They also met with Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who shared with Erlinger updates on the island and her goals to improve services, particularly in healthcare.
“I am very happy because he also met my staff,” Ayuyu said. “McDonald’s has been on Guam for 55 years, so it’s just appropriate for the president of McDonald’s U.S.A. to visit the island.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.