RIGA - Amidst a star studded gathering of celebrities and politicians, McDonalds has opened its first McDonalds in 10 years in Riga's Spice mall. Along with the traditional restaurant, the franchise unveiled the first McCafe in the Baltics.
"This is our first restaurant opening in the region in over 10 years and is part of the company's ongoing development plan for the ever popular McDonald's brand in the Baltics. We will in fact be rolling out more new stores, McCafe's and remodels across the region in 2009, making this is a truly exciting year for our organization," said Melo Hili, Managing Director of Baltic McDonalds.
The McCafe concept involves a variety of coffees as well as imported Italian desserts, fresh croissants and breads.
Though the McCafe offers a new variety in the McDonalds menu, Hili told The Baltic Times the company will soon be adding a new burger, the "CBO" or Chicken Bacon Onion, which has been successful in Western Europe.
The fruity, ice blended frappe is also new to the Latvian market 's the company aims to undercut the prices of other coffee shops to win a solid market position.
When asked if the Egg McMuffin would be gracing the new McDonalds menu, Hili commented that there wasn't really a market for breakfast in the Baltics.
However, the company does plan on expanding and assessing the market, with three or four new stores planned for the Baltics in the coming year, two of which will be in Lithuania.
"Despite the global economic downturn, we are confident that our brand can weather the storm and come out of the crisis stronger and more popular then ever before and we are convinced that we can grow our share of the Informal Eating Out market," said Hili.
The restaurant covers more than 100 square meters with 80 seats. It will employ 50 managers and crew members. The new restaurant will be open every day from 10 a.m to 10 p.m.
Spice mall director Iveta Lace said: "we're delighted that Spice was chosen as the location for the first McDonald's and McCafe restaurants ever to be opened in a shopping center in the Baltic states."
The McDonalds Corporation operates more than 30,000 restaurants in 121 countries. There are currently 20 McDonald's restaurants in the Baltic states 's six in Lithuania, seven in Latvia, and seven in Estonia.
