McDonald’s Philippines marks its 44th year with a bold, future-focused milestone as it opens its newest Green and Good store at Il Corso, Cebu — a seaside landmark that blends sustainable design, local artistry, and community-centered purpose.
Rising along Filinvest Mall’s waterfront development on Cebu South Coastal Road, the Il Corso branch becomes McDonald’s 36th store in Cebu Province, further strengthening the QSR giant’s footprint in one of its most dynamic markets. The launch was held on November 29 with McDonald’s Philippines President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang, Cebu City officials, Filinvest representatives, and media partners joining the celebration.
Yang said the new store reflects both Cebu’s creative soul and McDonald’s evolving sustainability journey. “The store design itself is a tribute to the vibrant creative scene in Cebu, widely recognized as the Design Capital of the Philippines,” he said. “And with its Green and Good features, Il Corso brings us one step closer to a more sustainable future. But above all, customers can expect the same great-tasting food and warm service they love from McDonald’s.”
A store built for people
More than a showcase of design and technology, McDonald’s Il Corso is anchored on the company’s belief that every new store should uplift its host community. Each opening creates opportunities for 80 to 100 individuals — a commitment shaped by the company’s long-standing practice of direct, non-contractual employment since the very first store opened in 1981.
“McDonald’s Philippines strongly believes in providing opportunities for Filipinos, regardless of age, background, and gender identity and expression,” Yang noted. Today, the company employs around 70,000 people nationwide, many of them working students building professional skills while pursuing their education. This commitment was recently recognized when McDonald’s earned the Employer of the Year Award from the People Management Association of the Philippines.
Beyond job generation, the company has also been consistently present during moments of crisis. Following the earthquakes and Typhoons Tino and Uwan, McDonald’s activated its Kindness Kitchen to distribute over 50,000 hot meals to affected families, health workers, volunteers, and its own employees. Before opening Il Corso, McDonald’s also partnered with Filinvest Land for a coastal clean-up, reinforcing its efforts to give back to the community it now serves.
Expanding opportunities through M for All
The store’s opening also marked the launch of an expanded partnership with Cebu City through the M for All program, which provides employment for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Under this agreement, 17 McDonald’s stores across Cebu will hire 102 seniors — two per store — for three-month engagements.
Since 2019, the program has opened doors for seniors and PWDs nationwide, working closely with several local governments to create a more inclusive workplace. While the majority of McDonald’s crew members are Gen Z working students, the company continues to champion opportunities for individuals in their 60s and beyond, proving that meaningful work has no age limit.
Design rooted in culture, powered by sustainability
As a Green and Good store, McDonald’s Il Corso is equipped with eco-friendly features such as rooftop solar panels, solar-powered lampposts, a rainwater harvesting system, LED lighting, power-saving motion sensors, and a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air-conditioning system. These upgrades significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. The store also uses sustainable packaging to help minimize waste.
True to Cebu’s reputation as a global design hub, the store’s exteriors proudly highlight solihiya patterns, sawali-inspired textures, and accents resembling rattan, bamboo, and wood — a nod to the craftsmanship of Cebuano weavers and furniture makers. The result is a restaurant that doesn’t just serve meals, but celebrates Cebuano culture in every detail.
With its blend of sustainability, artistry, and community-building, McDonald’s Il Corso stands as a symbol of what the brand’s next chapter aims to be: more inclusive, more local, and more committed than ever to serving both people and the planet.