Manila, Philippines — McDonald’s Philippines triumphed at this year’s People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Awards as it bagged the coveted Employer of the Year Award, given to a company showing exceptional business and people management practices.
McDonald’s, which was the unanimous choice, bested some of the country’s most esteemed companies, meeting the awards’ criteria for a purpose-driven organization that puts its people-first philosophies, principles, and values at the core of its operations.
Aside from winning top honors, the quick service restaurant (QSR) giant was also one of the companies given the Exemplar Status for the National Capital Region.
McDonald’s President and CEO Kenneth Yang received the award during the PMAP annual conference held recently in NUSTAR, Cebu City. PMAP is the country’s premier organization for human resource practitioners and people managers.
“This recognition fuels our commitment to our purpose: lighting the way to brighter opportunities for our people and the communities we serve,” said Yang. “Though I accepted the award onstage, the honor truly belongs to close to 1 million Filipinos who have become and are part of the McFamily.”
He added: “McDonald’s Philippines is part of a world-class brand, proudly rooted in the Filipino spirit. Today, we stand as the largest market in Southeast Asia, and the 10th largest globally. Our scale is more than a number—it’s a responsibility. It empowers us to serve communities, create opportunities, and support nation building.”
Every new McDonald’s store translates to 80 to 100 new jobs, driven by the company’s commitment to supporting economic activity on the local and national levels and providing employment opportunities through inclusive and diverse hiring practices.
Since Chairman and Founder Dr. George T. Yang opened the first McDonald’s store in the country in 1981, the company has upheld the practice of direct hiring and non-contractualization, setting it apart from QSRs in the country.
Earlier this year, McDonald’s Philippines owners Dr. George T. Yang and Kenneth S. Yang secured a new-term license to operate McDonald’s in the country for the next 20 years—a strong vote of confidence for their leadership and stewardship of the brand. The new-term license also came at a time of accelerated growth, with the company opening and operating stores in virtually all provinces in the country, bringing the McDonald’s experience closer to every Filipino.
At present, McDonald’s operates over 800 stores all over the country, and has a workforce of about 70,000 individuals, 70 percent of whom are working students. With the help of flexible work hours, they can continue pursuing their studies while also gaining significant work experience.
The company provides a world-class training program, on par with the global standards upheld by McDonald’s Corporation. Covering various aspects of restaurant operations and even beyond, the training provided by the company allows employees to succeed not just in the company, but also in other professional fields.
Said Yang: “Since opening our first store in 1981, we’ve contributed to economic growth and have provided employment and business opportunities for our franchisees, partner suppliers, and the communities we serve. We remain committed to lighting up more Golden Arches—and more opportunities—for generations to come.”
