How George and Kenneth Yang continue to bring feel-good moments through food and shared moments

Pinoys love to eat—that’s a given.

Whenever we find a great place to dine in, we remember everything about it: the quality of the food, the great service, and the friendly staff that made the experience worthwhile. 

Most of all, we remember the reason why we were there—like the memory of eating fried chicken and spaghetti on our 7th birthday, or how extra sweet that sundae tasted during that first date. In these shared moments, food does more than simply fill empty stomachs—it becomes a love language that ties itself onto experiences.

Food doesn’t last forever, but the memory we created around it does. When a place becomes a frequent part of our lives, it becomes a “household favorite.”

For over 44 years, McDonald’s Philippines has been exactly that—a trusted companion in every milestone, and whose great service won the hearts of many Filipino families through the years.

From grandparents to kids, McDonald’s never wavered in prioritizing customer experience. Their commitment shines through their delicious menu, where safe, quality food is warmly served hot and fresh with happiness.

Just recently, McDonald’s Corporation gave McDonald’s Philippines Chairman & Founder, Dr. George T. Yang, and President & CEO Kenneth Yang, a new 20-year term license as the brand’s master franchise holder in the country. This milestone cements George and Kenneth Yang’s commitment to continue their decades of service to Filipino communities. Watch the video below to know more:

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Set to open their 800th store this year, let's look back at the many McMilestones they have achieved since the very beginning:

The Early Years (1980’s-1990’s)

“If you focus on the customer, you will not go wrong.” – George Yang.

It was in 1981 when the world-famous Golden Arches arrived in the Philippines. Dr. George T. Yang opened the first-ever McDonald’s restaurant in Morayta, Manila. Back then, it only served a limited menu—the world-famous BigMac, French Fries, and Cheeseburger; until 1986, where local food items like Chicken McDo and McSpaghetti were first introduced to cater to the unique Filipino palette.  These menu items continue to be their best-sellers to date.

In 1982, McDonald’s Philippines opened their first drive-thru store, which is the first drive-thru store in country, in Greenhills, San Juan, catering to customers who want a quick meal on-the-go. 

Their growth then reached new heights in 1992, when McDo PH expanded its stores to Visayas (Bacolod and Cebu City) and Mindanao (Cagayan De Oro) regions. This milestone is immediately followed by the launch of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in 1996, where they partner with government agencies in uplifting the lives of Filipino children and families through programs for education.

Embracing the 2000s and Digital Age

In 2005, McDonald’s Philippines proudly became a 100% Filipino-owned company under Golden Arches Corporation with Kenneth Yang, George Yang’s son, as president and CEO and George assuming the Chairman position.

During this time, McDonald’s PH started to embrace modern change by launching their McDelivery App (2014) and opening NXTGEN stores (2018). For the first time, customers have the option to self-order through kiosks and use cashless payments.

“Our digital transformation journey has enabled us not just to scale the business and serve more customers, but it has improved how we do it,” said Kenneth Yang.

He further emphasizes that, “If they [customers] want convenience, we should be convenient to them.”

Post Pandemic and Beyond

Rising to the challenges left by the COVID-19 pandemic, McDonald’s welcomed their new “omni-channel” experience that appealed to the newer generations. They continuously grew their drive-thru and delivery footprint and launched their McDonald’s app in 2020, offering personalized and special deals for their online customers. As of December 2024, the McDonald’s App has gained over 12 million users. 

McDonald’s Philippines also began their sustainability journey with  McDonald’s Green and Good,  and opened the first “green” flagship store in 2020 in UN Del Pilar, Manila. Since 2023, it has been operating all its new stores with basic green solutions like LED lights, photo and motion sensors and harnessing solar power to name a few.

The Next 20 Years: A New Era

Through every birthday, road trip, first date, or family reunion, McDonald’s has been more than just a place to eat—it’s been part of our story. A reminder that food, when served with care and connection, can become a memory we carry for life. 

And as McDonald’s Philippines enters a new era, one thing remains true: the happiness, comfort, and warmth they’ve brought to generations of Filipinos will always be part of who we are.

Represented by the golden arches, their legacy continues to stand proof that great food is, indeed, the way to every Pinoy's heart.

As our inner child would say—mouth smeared with McSpaghetti sauce and all— “Love ko ’to!”