McDonald’s coming to southern Sabah
PAPAR: McDonald’s will open a drive-thru restaurant in Parklane City as early as the fourth quarter of this year, following the official signing of a tenancy agreement between Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd and WSG Group here on Friday.
The McDonald’s restaurant, which will offer dine-in, drivethru and delivery services, will be the first in the southern area of Sabah.
Gerbang Alaf Restaurants Sdn Bhd vice president cum chief development officer Mohamad NasriNor said the establishment of the fast food chain in Papar is in line with the company’s plan to expand in Sabah.
“This is one of the areas we want to come in. We want to serve the people in Papar. Most of our stores right now are in Kota Kinabalu or northern area.
“This is gong to be the first outlet in the southern area of Sabah,” he said after signing the tenancy agreement with WSG Group managing director Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen.
Mohamad Nasri revealed that the fast food chain aims to double the number of stores in Sabah within five years.
He said the company plans to open five McDonald’s restaurants in Sabah this year, which will bring the number of restaurants in the state from 13 to 18.
One of the five new McDonald’s outlets will be at Parklane City, while the remaining are located in the northern area and east cost of Sabah.
On its new restaurant in Papar, Mohamad Nasri said the store will span an area of 4,000 square feet and is expected to be completed by Sept 16 this year.
He said the company is investing RM5 million to set up the new store, which will serve as a drive-thru, delivery centre and dine-in restaurant.
The restaurant will be equipped with the latest technology, including mobile order purchase (MOP) system that allows customers to order and pay through an application on their phones without having to do so at the counter.
He added that the new McDonald’s outlet will employ around 100 staff, which will be all Sabahans, with priority given to Paparians.
“We have high confidence in Datuk Susan’s ability to deliver the project on time.
“And we are very hopeful that this is going to be the success story in 2023.”
He also called on Sabahans to look into the career opportunities McDonald’s offers as the fast food chain expands in Sabah.
“The opportunities for career development at McDonald’s is reserved for locals before we look somewhere else.”
Meanwhile, Susan said construction will commence at full swing upon the inking of the tenancy agreement and ground breaking ceremony.
“We will make sure the building is ready for handover by September 16.”
She also handed over the building plan to Mohamad Nasri yesterday.
“Once the building is completed, McDonald’s will be able to commence renovation and installation of its equipment in order to start operation within this year.”
She added that Paparians have demanded for McDonald’s at Parklane City, which prompted her to approach the fast food giant.
“We already have KFC and Pizza Hut at Benoni Commercial Centre and the locals here hope to have McDonald’s as well.
“I believe Paparians will be very pleased with this news.”
Also present were WSG Group directors Vanessa Wong and Jonathan Wong.