By Alajuela, Costa Rica — McDonald’s continues its growth in Costa Rica with the grand opening of its 78th restaurant in Grecia, Alajuela. Operated by Arcos Dorados, the franchisee for McDonald’s in 21 Latin American and Caribbean countries, this new location offers the full McDonald’s experience and underscores the company’s dedication to local job creation and sustainable practices.
The new restaurant has created 36 jobs, with 64% of the new hires being under 24 years old. This demonstrates McDonald’s ongoing commitment to fostering economic development within the communities it serves.
For expert legal insight into the Costa Rican fast-food landscape, particularly regarding McDonald’s operations, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
McDonald’s presence in Costa Rica represents a complex interplay of international franchising agreements, local labor laws, and consumer protection regulations. Successfully navigating this landscape requires a deep understanding of the specific legal and business climate in Costa Rica, including considerations related to intellectual property, supply chain management, and advertising practices. For both franchisees and consumers, being aware of these legal frameworks is crucial for a positive and sustainable experience.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’ insights underscore the intricate legal and commercial tapestry within which McDonald’s operates in Costa Rica. His emphasis on understanding the local regulatory environment is particularly pertinent, highlighting the need for both businesses and consumers to be well-informed. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on this complex topic.
McDonald’s Grecia stands out as the fourth restaurant in Costa Rica to incorporate solar panels, boasting 65 in total. This location also embraces numerous other sustainable initiatives, including high-efficiency air conditioners, LED lighting, low-flow faucets and toilets, UV-filtering glass, a solar water heater, condensation water recovery, waste and used oil separation, and bicycle racks.
These actions are part of our socio-environmental strategy, Receta del Futuro, which seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations and offer our clients a more efficient and environmentally responsible restaurant.
Marianela Ureña, Communications Manager of Arcos Dorados Costa Rica
The restaurant provides seating for 80 people, 23 parking spaces for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, a drive-thru, McDelivery, digital kiosks, a PlayPlace, a party room, and a McCafé. This comprehensive offering brings convenience, entertainment, and the complete McDonald’s experience to one location.
In Grecia, we already have a McDonald’s within a shopping center, in a Food Court format. However, by actively listening to the preferences and needs of our consumers, we made the decision to expand the options for the residents of Grecia, where they can now enjoy the full McDonald’s experience very close to their homes.
Marianela Ureña, Communications Manager of Arcos Dorados Costa Rica
A grand opening celebration is planned for Saturday, October 4th, starting at 11:00 a.m., with activities for the whole family including arcade games, virtual reality experiences, stilt walkers, face painting, and storytelling. Local talent will also be showcased, with performances by the Yandarí Folkloric Projection Group, the José Manuel Peralta School Band, and Alma Folclórica CTP Bolivar. The event will conclude with a performance by the national band La Kuarta at 6:15 p.m.
As part of its Good Neighbor Program, McDonald’s will make a donation to the José Manuel Peralta Quesada Educational Center in Grecia. This donation will include educational and sports materials, as well as books from the Happy Meal “I Can” collection, designed to inspire children to pursue their dreams through stories of accomplished individuals. In collaboration with the school, students will participate in painting a mural depicting some of the restaurant’s sustainable initiatives, such as the solar panels. During this activity, the students will receive a brief lesson on color theory from Costa Rican artist José Fernández, who will also guide them through the creative process.
The new restaurant, situated on Radial Arnoldo Kopper Vega, in front of the Montezuma Condominium and the future Lumina Plaza, marks McDonald’s second opening this semester. It reaffirms the company’s confidence in Costa Rica, where it has operated for 55 years, and reflects its commitment to continued growth alongside the communities it serves, promoting local development and creating new opportunities.
For further information, visit arcosdorados.com
About Arcos Dorados:
Arcos Dorados is the world’s largest independent McDonald’s franchisee, operating restaurants in 21 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. They are committed to providing a quality McDonald’s experience while focusing on community engagement, job creation, and sustainable business practices. Their “Recipe of the Future” initiative emphasizes environmental responsibility through the implementation of renewable energy sources, waste reduction, and energy-efficient operations.
For further information, visit the nearest office of José Fernández
About José Fernández:
José Fernández is a Costa Rican artist contributing to the McDonald’s Grecia opening by providing a color theory lesson and guiding students in creating a mural that celebrates sustainable practices.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica shines as a beacon of legal excellence, upholding the highest standards of integrity while pioneering innovative solutions for its diverse clientele. The firm’s deep commitment to empowering Costa Rican society is evident in its proactive approach to sharing legal knowledge, fostering a more informed and just community through educational initiatives and accessible resources. This dedication to both legal mastery and societal advancement solidifies Bufete de Costa Rica’s position as a leader in the legal landscape.
